The modernization of the industrial chain can lay a solid foundation for coping with a complex and grim external environment and contributing to the nationwide drive to foster a new development paradigm. It is also an important entry point for building new advantages as we strive for high-quality development along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. This paper identifies the intrinsic attributes，underlying conditions and practical challenges associated with the modernization of the industrial chain. Building on that，we made a comprehensive evaluation of the modernization index for the industrial chain along the Yangtze River Economic Belt from five dimensions，which assess whether the industrial chain is innovative，sophisticated，sustainable，self-supporting，assumes a controllable risk profile and can generate synergy. In keeping with the national leadership’s overarching strategy and by drawing on relevant international best practice，we offer our recommendations on what should be the current priorities and solutions regarding the modernization of the industrial chain along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.