After a recently-held collective signing of agreements, 36 major projects with a total investment of RMB33.2 bln will be located in the Qingdao Area of China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, covering six fields, namely, modern finance, modern marine industry, international trade, shipping logistics, advanced manufacturing and integrated circuits. These projects are funded by Fortune Global 500 companies such as Germany-based Continental AG, COSCO and Sinotrans as well as top 500 Chinese companies represented by Shandong Port Group and Zall Group.

These projects are characterized by a large amount of investment, a high-quality structure and a strong guiding role, six of which involve above RMB1 bln in investment, and will help further improve the modern industrial cluster in the Qingdao FTZ. After completion, the technical center for auto parts of Continent AG will become an important technical R&D center of the group in the Asia-Pacific region. The integrated circuit-related projects, which involve a total investment of RMB2.7 bln, will complete the industrial chain ranging from designs to materials, equipment manufacturing, sealing and testing, and modules, and are expected to add new impetus to high-quality development in the area. (Wang Kai)

An aerial view of the Qingdao FTZ.