Uploaded containers are seen at Qingdao Port in Shandong province on Jan 9, 2023. [Photo/VCG]

The eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province is striving to promote the high-quality development of its marine economy and accelerate the construction of a leading modern marine hub, said local officials at a news conference held on March 9.

The oceans are strategically important to high-quality development, said Qi Yongzhan, deputy director of the Qingdao Municipal Marine Development Bureau.

"We will continue to accelerate progress in the construction of world-class sea ports, a well-established modern maritime industry system, and a green and sustainable marine ecological environment to contribute to the building of a maritime power," added Qi.

According to preliminary statistics, the gross marine product of Qingdao increased by over 7 percent year-on-year in 2022, exceeding 500 billion yuan ($72.65 billion) and accounting for more than 30 percent of the city's GDP.

Last year, the city carried out 88 key marine projects, worth more than 200 billion yuan. There were 153 newly signed projects in the marine sector, involving a total investment of 169.67 billion yuan, including four projects each with an investment of 10 billion yuan.

The Conson No 1, the world's first 100,000-metric-ton fish farming "smart" ship, was delivered in Qingdao last May. At 249.9 meters long and with a displacement of 130,000 tons, the vessel is used as a movable fish farm on the sea for breeding high-end commercial fish, such as large yellow croaker, according to Qingdao Conson Development, the main investor. It is expected to yield 3,700 metric tons of high-quality fish annually.