Qingdao solidifies its role as a major economic hub, leading Shandong's modernization efforts with groundbreaking achievements. [Photo/Guanhai News]

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), Qingdao has solidified its role as a major economic hub, leading Shandong's modernization efforts with groundbreaking achievements.

The city's GDP reached 1.67 trillion ($235.67 billion) in 2024, with per capita disposable income hitting 59,900 yuan. Retail sales and foreign trade exceeded 650 billion yuan and 900 billion yuan, respectively. The service sector, now accounting for 62.8 percent of GDP, surpassed 1 trillion yuan, while the marine economy contributed 33 percent to the city's total output.

Embracing technological advancement, Qingdao strategically prioritized two pioneering industries, five emerging sectors, and upgraded three competitive industries, while preparing for future frontiers. This includes 40 specialized tracks to foster new quality productive forces.

Qingdao sees a surge in its innovation ecosystem during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Key projects like BOE Technology Group Co Ltd's display module base and Haier's COSMOPlat industrial internet ecosystem have accelerated growth, attracting giants like Huawei Cloud. Qingdao now has four national advanced manufacturing clusters and ranks sixth among China's top 100 advanced manufacturing cities.

Qingdao saw a surge in its innovation ecosystem during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with its high-tech enterprises and sci-tech SMEs increasing to 8,628 and 9,776, respectively. Its research capabilities are supported by 16 national key laboratories, complemented by 85 at the provincial level.

Over the past five years, Qingdao has promoted its green transition. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the city's new energy installation capacity maintained rapid growth of nearly 30 percent annually. By the end of September, its renewable energy generation capacity reached 8.06 million kilowatts, increasing its share from 40 percent at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to 60.5 percent.

Qingdao works to ensure its residents enjoy more blue skies, clear waters, and clean soil. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Simultaneously, Qingdao has worked to ensure its residents enjoy more blue skies, clear waters, and clean soil. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations decreased by 16.1 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively, while the excellent water quality rate in coastal areas reached 99 percent. These efforts have helped preserve the city's iconic "red roofs, green trees, blue seas, and clear skies".