Greetings from Chongqing! Today is Monday, September 14, 2026.

Local Highlights: Chongqing Unveils 11 Measures to Strengthen Agricultural Product Safety Oversight

The Municipal Agriculture and Rural Committee has recently issued a notice detailing specific actions to enhance supervision over agricultural product quality. This directive introduces 11 comprehensive measures, including the widespread adoption of colloidal gold rapid testing, to ensure the safety of food on every table.

The notice emphasizes a firm commitment to upholding the bottom line of agricultural product safety. To crack down on the illegal use of prohibited substances, authorities will launch targeted rectification campaigns focusing on high-risk agricultural products and specialty small-scale produce. A strategy of "one product, one plan, one assessment, one closed loop" will be implemented, with zero tolerance for violations involving banned pesticides and veterinary drugs. Any cases suspected of criminal activity will be immediately referred to public security agencies.

First Catenary Wire Installed on Chongqing Section of Chengdu-Chongqing Middle Line

The inaugural catenary wire for the Chongqing segment of the Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway, constructed by China Railway Electrification Engineering Group, has been successfully erected on the Wanjiaping double-track extra-large bridge in Dazu District. This milestone signifies that the "four electrical systems" phase of the Chengdu-Chongqing Middle Line has officially entered its critical construction stage.

As a vital component of the national "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network's Yangtze River corridor, the line originates at Chongqing North Station and traverses the Liangjiang New Area, Shapingba, Bishan, Tongliang, and Dazu districts of Chongqing, before passing through Ziyang and Chengdu in Sichuan Province to terminate at Chengdu Station. The main line spans 292 kilometers with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

Upon completion, the project will interconnect with multiple existing lines, enhancing the regional rail network, dramatically reducing travel times between Chengdu and Chongqing, and greatly facilitating mobility for residents along the route. This development holds significant strategic importance for advancing the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and fostering a new paradigm of Western China development.

Chongqing National Science Popularization Month Kicks Off with Interactive Experiences

On September 13, the 2026 Chongqing National Science Popularization Month main event was held, featuring the release of two new standards: the "Construction and Service Specifications for Science Communication Expert Studios" and the "Evaluation Specifications for Science Communication Experts' Popularization Capabilities." The event offered citizens a science carnival that was experiential, interactive, educational, and shareable.

Throughout the month, districts, science popularization bases, tech associations, Xinghuo science museums, schools, and research institutes will host a series of themed activities, including "Science Reports on Frontiers," "Exploring the Future at Science Venues," "Millions of IPs Creating Science Content," and "Bringing Science Culture to Grassroots Communities." These initiatives aim to create a science feast with comprehensive coverage, multi-platform media engagement, and broad public participation. To date, over 1,500 science popularization activities have been organized across the city.

National Developments: China's Daily Token Call Volume Surpasses 500 Trillion by June

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued an action plan for the "AI + Software" special initiative, outlining strategies across six key areas: transforming software production, accelerating the intelligent upgrade of software products, cultivating new intelligent agent software business models, expanding intelligent software services, strengthening the foundation for software intelligence, and optimizing the software industry's development environment.

Industry data reveals that the sector's total revenue reached 15.48 trillion yuan in 2025, representing 6.2 times the 2012 figure with an average annual compound growth rate of 15.1%. By June 2026, China's daily average token call volume has exceeded 500 trillion. The plan sets a target for 2030 to establish internationally influential open-source communities and industrial clusters, positioning China's software and IT services industry at the forefront of the global value chain. Additionally, the plan outlines measures to promote collaborative innovation in open-source software.

China's New Energy Storage Capacity to Hit 300 Million kW by 2030

China's new energy storage sector has maintained rapid growth momentum this year. By the end of June, the nation's installed new energy storage capacity reached 153 million kW with 396 million kWh, marking a 61% year-on-year increase. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, growth is expected to remain robust, with approximately 160 million kW of new installations projected.

By 2030, the country's total new energy storage capacity is anticipated to reach 300 million kW, with grid-side independent storage designated for peak-shaving and supply assurance reaching 140 million kW.

Tonight's Sky: Last Venus-Moon Conjunction of the Year as "Chang Geng"

Venus, appearing in its "Chang Geng" (Evening Star) manifestation, will approach the crescent moon on September 14, offering skywatchers a celestial spectacle. This event marks the final Venus-Moon conjunction of the year in this particular role, as the planet's trajectory will shift after October, transitioning from an evening star to a morning star.

In terms of nighttime brightness, the Moon consistently ranks first with Venus a close second. When these two brilliant celestial bodies align closely, a "star-moon fairy tale" unfolds. At dawn, Venus appears in the eastern sky as "Qi Ming" (Morning Star), while at dusk, it graces the western horizon as "Chang Geng." For this event, binoculars or small telescopes will clearly reveal Venus's phase, which resembles the crescent Moon, creating a delightful visual of "twin crescents" sharing the field of view.