In addition, Qingdao's integrated service platform for China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation local economic and trade cooperation offers one-stop solutions for trade, customs, logistics and finance for businesses throughout the Yellow River region to participate. Based on the service platform, the city operates 31 domestic and international freight trains, connecting 54 cities across 23 countries and regions involved in the SCO and the Belt and Road Initiative. From January to October, 775 trains were run, representing a year-on-year increase of 25 percent.

The Qingdao pilot free trade zone has initiated an online-based cross-region coordination pattern, signing cooperation agreements with 33 functional areas in provinces throughout the Yellow River region for integrating administrative approvals, allowing 480 items to be handled.

Utilizing strengths in industries such as new-type displays, artificial intelligence and integrated circuits, Qingdao has encouraged its businesses and institutes to cooperate with technological players throughout the Yellow River region. For instance, the city has joined hands with Xi'an, Shaanxi province, to hold a conference for promoting advanced industries and the commercialization of scientific results. Moreover, Qingdao has held two sessions of the Yellow River Basin Cross-border E-commerce Expo, helping businesses to reach cooperation intentions worth a total amount of 765 million yuan ($107.26 million).

Apart from cooperation, efforts have been made in environmental protection and low-carbon development throughout the Yellow River region.

From 2021-22, Qingdao conducted a special action plan to achieve zero carbon emissions during its heating season. As a result, there was no heavy pollution across the whole city for the first time. In 2022, the number of days with excellent air quality in the urban area reached 323 days, accounting for 88.5 percent of the year.

The city has also implemented green measures in response to the country's dual carbon goals. Qingdao achieved the goal of reducing carbon emission intensity by 4.48 percent in 2022, which was set by Shandong province. Energy consumption intensity decreased by 5.3 percent compared to 2020, exceeding the 4.9 percent target with the efficiency level of energy consumption output per unit ranking first in Shandong.

To boost its construction as a demonstration city of water conservation, Qingdao has rolled out plans to build a modern water network and a seawater desalination project. It has established the first domestic seawater desalination design and research institute and implemented the world's first project for lithium extraction from seawater brine, achieving a daily seawater desalination capacity of 324,000 cubic meters.

Visitors check out a booth at the 2023 Yellow River Basin Cross-border E-commerce Expo held in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/China Daily]