Engineering milestone offers a view into southern Chengdu's steadily developing advanced manufacturing ecosystem
-- On September 24, 2026, the Yuexi tunnel boring machine (TBM) officially rolled off the production line at China Railway Hi-Tech Intelligent Equipment Base in Xinjin, Chengdu. With an excavation diameter of 13.01 meters, the machine is the world's largest-diameter double-shield hard-rock TBM to have rolled off the production line to date. Jointly developed by Shudao Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Shudao Group) and China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (CREC Equipment), it will be deployed to excavate the Yuexi Tunnel on the Jinkouhe–Xichang Expressway, which runs from Leshan's Jinkouhe District to Liangshan's Xichang City in Sichuan Province. Beyond its engineering specifications, this landmark rollout offers a clear lens into how Xinjin's decades-long industrial accumulation and targeted business support have shaped the district into a growth hub for high-end manufacturing in western China.
Yuexi Tunnel General Layout Plan
The Yuexi TBM stands out not only for its record-breaking size, but for its tailored design addressing one of China's most challenging geological environments. Stretching through the mountainous terrain of southwest Sichuan, the Yuexi Tunnel faces complex conditions including high ground stress and fractured rock formations. Its double-shield structure enables simultaneous rock breaking, muck removal and segment lining, improving construction efficiency. Key parts and components of the machine are domestically produced. The project also marks deep collaboration between local engineering demand and domestic equipment R&D: Shudao Group brought frontline geological expertise from Sichuan's mountain infrastructure projects, while CREC Equipment contributed core TBM research and development capabilities. The result is a custom-built large-diameter tunnelling machine explicitly adapted to southwest China's unique mountain tunnel conditions, providing a Chinese practical solution for large-diameter tunnelling equipment under similar complex geological conditions globally.That such a sophisticated piece of heavy equipment was manufactured in Xinjin is no coincidence. Located at the southern gateway of the Chengdu Plain with five rivers running through its territory, Xinjin has long been a pioneer of private economic development in Sichuan, home to well-known private enterprises including the Hope Group. Over the years, the district's three leading industries—green food, new energy and rail transit—have continued to cluster and grow, while advanced equipment manufacturing and other emerging sectors have expanded alongside major projects. Leading players such as CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Chengdu Co., Ltd., which supplies Chengdu's metro fleet, together with other major enterprises including CATL, have continuously consolidated the district's industrial foundation. This solid industrial heritage is fostering a steadily improving local supply chain and a pool of skilled industrial talents, laying a foundation for high-end equipment projects like the Yuexi TBM.
Building on its solid industrial foundation, Xinjin's core strength lies in its ability to turn industrial concentration into tangible business collaboration. When the China Railway Hi-Tech base began R&D and production of the Yuexi TBM, the district government organized multiple targeted matchmaking events, connecting the equipment manufacturer with local suppliers such as Hope Senlan. This model creates mutual benefits: major projects from outside gain fast access to local supply chain resources, while local enterprises unlock new business growth opportunities backed by leading projects. For Xinjin, industrial agglomeration is not just a statistic—it is an operating mechanism that enables major projects to drive shared growth for local businesses.
Beyond supply chain connectivity, Xinjin has streamlined government services to remove operational frictions for manufacturers. According to public reports, the district has consolidated approval, planning and other administrative services into its Enterprise Service Center, allowing companies to handle 293 business-related matters in a one-stop manner entirely within the park. This on-site support enables enterprises to focus on production and R&D rather than administrative procedures. Financial support is equally accessible. Xinjin's digital policy matching platform automatically identifies applicable support policies for each enterprise and seamlessly connects the application, review and disbursement processes. In 2025, the district precisely disbursed over 360 million yuan in policy support funds, ensuring policy benefits directly reach businesses.
Support follows companies as they expand into global markets. Before the Yuexi TBM's rollout, the Chuanshanjia No. 1 shield machine, manufactured at the same production base, had been exported to Europe for a local water conservancy project. To support this overseas expansion, Xinjin's intellectual property service station provided comprehensive patent analysis and overseas trademark portfolio assessment, helping manufacturers protect their technology and build international brands. Logistics channel support has kept pace. The Chengdu South Collection and Distribution Center of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (Western Route), located in Xinjin Economic and Technological Development Zone, launched the inaugural Sichuan–Pinglu Canal–Vietnam river-rail-sea intermodal transport service in September 2026, opening a new southward sea route for local manufacturers of high-end equipment, rail transit systems and new energy products. According to the operator's estimates, the per-container logistics cost on the rail segment is about 10% lower than that of the traditional route of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, helping Xinjin-made products reach ASEAN markets efficiently. From intellectual property protection to logistics channel support, these professional services beyond factory gates have become a strong pillar for local manufacturers exploring global markets.
The Yuexi TBM is more than just a landmark tunnelling machine—it is a microcosm of Xinjin's manufacturing ecosystem capabilities. What started as a pioneer of private economic development has grown into a high-end equipment manufacturing hub with a steadily improving local supply chain, efficient government services and global market support. As the world's largest-diameter double-shield hard-rock TBM is set to be deployed deep in Sichuan's mountains, it also carries forward Xinjin's development trajectory: connecting local businesses with new opportunities, and turning regional industrial potential into tangible competitiveness. For partners worldwide, Xinjin represents not just a production location, but an industrial ecosystem where advanced manufacturing continues to take shape and thrive.
Contact Info:
Name: Wendy He
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Xinjin District People’s Government
Website: https://www.xinjin.gov.cn/xjxrmzf/index.shtml
Release ID: 89207749
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