The newly released Global Ocean City Competitiveness Index Report (2025) ranks Qingdao 16th among 60 global coastal cities, placing it first worldwide in the number of marine-related research papers published.

Against the backdrop of China's maritime power strategy, the country has established three major marine economic circles: the northern, eastern, and southern circles, with Qingdao, Shanghai, and Shenzhen as their core leaders.

The report highlights a trend of "specialized division of labor" among global ocean cities. Domestically, four development models have emerged: Qingdao represents the science and technology-driven model, leading in marine research publications and academic experts; Shanghai exemplifies the shipping hub model; Xiamen is noted for its ecological demonstration efforts; and Ningbo-Zhoushan advances through cultural and industrial integration.

Specifically, Qingdao excels in marine research, publishing 2,202 marine-related papers in the Web of Science database in 2024 — nearly one-tenth of the total from all 60 cities surveyed. The city is also home to nearly one-third of China's marine-focused academicians, the highest nationwide.

The report, jointly compiled by research institutes in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, evaluates cities across five dimensions. It forecasts that from 2025 to 2030, technology-driven efficiency and green transition will define the next phase of competition among global ocean cities.

The newly released Global Ocean City Competitiveness Index Report (2025) positions Qingdao 16th among 60 global coastal cities. [Photo/Guanhai News]