Sichuan State-owned Enterprises Secure Strong Start to 2026, Paving Way for 15th Five-Year Plan

Sichuan’s state-owned and state-controlled enterprises have made a robust start to 2026, marking the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan with impressive economic performance. Data shows that by the end of March, the total assets of these enterprises reached 3.1 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%, while operating income hit 138.8 billion yuan, up 0.9% year-on-year. Profit before tax surged by 91.3% to 4.9 billion yuan, with the annualized return on net assets rising 0.8 percentage points compared with the same period last year.

People’s Network Sichuan Channel reported that the steady start has been driven by optimized investment structure and accelerated transformation of new growth drivers. In the first quarter, Sichuan’s state-owned enterprises completed a total investment of 54.5 billion yuan, with nearly three-quarters flowing into fixed assets such as railways, highways and shipping hubs. Shudao Group, a key player in the province’s transportation sector, invested over 28 billion yuan, with investment completion rates of 103.1% for highway projects and 109.17% for rail projects, helping Sichuan maintain its leading position in highway and waterway construction investment nationwide.

Key infrastructure projects are advancing at full speed, including the Luguhu Grand Bridge on the Xixiang Expressway, where the main tower has exceeded 200 meters, and the Chuanwen Expressway, with tunnel boring totaling over 6,500 meters. Meanwhile, strategic emerging industries have become a new growth engine, with investment reaching 14.1 billion yuan, doubling year-on-year, and investment in six advantageous industries increasing by 35.5%.

Major enterprises are leading the transformation drive. Sichuan Energy Development Group helped Hongming Electronics list on the ChiNext Market, becoming the first listed state-owned enterprise in Sichuan since the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Huaxi Group achieved a 14.5% year-on-year growth in new contracts, with its bidding volume in new sectors such as petrochemicals and electric power surging by over 200%. Sichuan Airlines Group reported a 275.8% year-on-year profit growth, benefiting from optimized capacity allocation during the Spring Festival travel rush.

To sustain the momentum, a meeting held on April 17 emphasized that the second quarter is a crucial period for achieving half-year targets. Enterprises will further strengthen investment pull, accelerate key projects, expand market presence and deepen reform. Efforts will also be made to increase R&D investment, optimize industrial layout and strengthen risk control, ensuring stable and high-quality development throughout the year.

China News Network noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period is critical for the restructuring and transformation of state-owned enterprises in Sichuan. With continuous optimization of investment and deepening reform, these enterprises are expected to play a more important role in building a modern industrial system and supporting regional coordinated development.