The gross marine product (GMP) of Qingdao, Shandong province made a strong recovery last year, with a growth rate of 6.5 percent year-on-year and accounting for approximately 30 percent of the total GMP of the province.

The GMP of Shandong's Qingdao posts a strong recovery momentum in 2023. [Photo/WeChat account: Guanhai News]

According to official data, in 2023, Qingdao's aquatic product output reached 1.032 million metric tons, a 3.9-percent increase year-on-year, surpassing the provincial average. The output value of the fishery industry grew by 4.4 percent year-on-year to 24.46 billion yuan ($3.4 billion).

Nine national-level demonstration areas for healthy and ecological aquaculture were established in Qingdao last year, while the number of national-level marine ranch demonstration areas increased to 21, the second-highest in the country.

The city also made strong progress in developing the ocean engineering equipment industry last year. Qingdao is promoting the integration and development of the entire industrial chain as well as cultivating leading enterprises and specialized and innovative companies, with the aim of becoming a world-class shipbuilding and marine engineering hub. In 2023, the headquarters of the China Shipbuilding Ship Design and Research Center was established in Qingdao, playing a role in promoting technological innovation in the ocean engineering equipment industry.

The value added of Qingdao's marine electric power industry and seawater desalination and comprehensive utilization industry increased by 19.5 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.

Last year, Qingdao made advances in the advancing marine tourism industry as well, with the value added of Qingdao's marine tourism industry increasing by 17.2 percent year-on-year, according to official data. Qingdao launched one to two large-scale projects related to tourism performing arts and themes such as history, oceans and regional culture in 2023, such as the Tangdao Bay project and the National Marine Archaeology Museum.

Additionally, Qingdao's marine transportation industry witnessed a surge in growth last year. Official data showed that the value added of Qingdao's marine transportation industry increased by 4.2 percent. The total number of inland ports along the Yellow River, sea-rail intermodal transport routes, and container routes in the city reached 4,177, and more than 220 respectively, with the density of routes ranking first in the northern region and the competitiveness index of the international shipping hub ranking first in Northeast Asia.

In 2023, Qingdao Port's cargo throughput exceeded 700 million metric tons, and container throughput exceeded 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), making it the fifth port globally to reach the milestone and ranking fourth and fifth worldwide, respectively, in terms of scale.

This year, Qingdao will accelerate its development into a leading modern marine city and strive to become a leader in managing the oceans. Local officials said that they will take the lead in building a modern marine industrial system, promote independent marine science and technology, and build world-class marine ports.