Just days before its sixth anniversary, the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or Qingdao FTZ, released an official scorecard showing it has delivered 358 institutional innovations, 97 of which have been adopted across the nation or province, while economic added value rose 61 percent to 1.37 billion yuan ($192.12 million) per square kilometer.

Since State Council's approval in August 2019, the zone's share of Qingdao's total imports and exports trade has jumped from 16 percent to 20 percent, making it the top performer among the province's three free trade zones. It has lured 724 domestic projects above 100 million yuan and 90 foreign ventures topping $10 million, creating 147,000 jobs – 10 percent of the city's annual net employment.

By virtue of its deep-water berths and bonded zones, Qingdao FTZ has deepened the integration of ports, shipping and finance, boosting both domestic and foreign throughput.

A "10+1" innovation system now clusters integrated circuits, intelligent manufacturing and life-health industries; the Sino-German Ecopark and BRI platforms underpin expanded links with Japan, South Korea and Germany.

Officials credit the zone's first-class business environment to streamlined customs, smart government windows and a rules-based legal framework, reinforcing the zone's role as a national pilot for high-standard opening-up.

The Qingdao FTZ, which turns six on Aug 31, achieves remarkable reform and development results. [Photo/IC]