This June 3 marks the 10th anniversary of Qingdao West Coast New Area, a State-level new area in Shandong province that is steadily advancing towards prosperity. [Photo by Liu Gaofeng for chinadaily.com.cn]

On June 3, 2014, the State Council of China granted approval for the establishment of Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA). This year, Qingdao WCNA marks the end of its first decade, a period of vibrant growth and development that has seen the area flourish with a youthful vigor and a forward-moving spirit.

Economic growth and comprehensive strength

From 2013 to 2023, Qingdao WCNA witnessed a remarkable increase in its gross domestic product (GDP), surging from 212.1 billion yuan ($29.27 billion) to an impressive 500.34 billion yuan.

This robust economic performance has placed it among the top three of the 19 State-level new areas in China.

The area's contribution to Shandong province's economic growth has also seen a significant rise, from 3.7 percent to 6.7 percent. Notably, the Zhonghua thermal physics scientific equipment, highlighted as the first national key scientific infrastructure project launched in China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), demonstrates the region's commitment to scientific advancement. Other important scientific projects related to aerospace power and marine ecological systems have also made notable progress.

National strategy and marine economy

Qingdao WCNA has been at the forefront of serving national strategies, with a particular focus on marine development. In 2023, the area's marine GDP reached almost 200 billion yuan, accounting for 2 percent of the national marine GDP, 11.6 percent of the provincial marine GDP, and 40.4 percent of the municipal marine GDP.

The area has led the way in creating the country's first deep-sea green aquaculture experimental zone, which includes warm-water salmon farming. It also houses the largest national marine ranch group. China's innovative cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading facility, the first in Asia, was established in Qingdao WCNA. Furthermore, the world's largest marine gene bank has been established there, showcasing Qingdao WCNA's dedication to marine innovation.

Reform and opening-up progress

Qingdao WCNA has actively integrated into the new development pattern, unleashing the full potential of reform and opening-up. A total of 52 central enterprises have invested in 164 key projects in Qingdao WCNA, alongside 348 projects from the world's top 500 companies.

The construction of world-class marine ports has accelerated, with the automated terminal at Qingdao Port setting world records for average operational efficiency. Dongjiakou Port has emerged as a major port with an annual throughput of over 100 million metric tons.

The number of operating entities in the area has grown exponentially, from 60,000 to 445,000 households, and the number of listed companies has tripled from 6 to 19.

People's livelihoods and social development

Adhering to the principles of co-building, managing, and sharing, Qingdao WCNA has been crafting a heartwarming narrative for its residents. Urban and rural areas have seen coordinated development, with improvements in 178 villages and communities and 259 neighborhoods.

Key transportation infrastructures such as Qingdao West Railway Station (Qingdaoxi Railway Station), Qingdao Metro Line 1 and 6, and the Qingdao Metro West Coast Line have been established.

Lingshan Bay has been recognized as an excellent example of a beautiful bay in China, and Lingshan Island has become the first carbon-negative island in the country.

Cultural and international recognition

Qingdao WCNA is known for its four internationally recognized calling cards: Metropolis of Film, Island of Music, City of Beer, and Coast of Exhibition.

The China Movie Metropolis has significantly boosted the film industry, producing over 300 works, including the acclaimed movie The Wandering Earth.

The Phoenix Sound Theater and Xingguang Island Theater are now up and running. The popularity and influence of the Qingdao Phoenix Music Festival is steadily increasing.

The Qingdao International Beer Festival, valued at 36.8 billion yuan, has gained global recognition as a leading event.

In 2023, the area hosted more than 400 exhibitions and events, earning the title of one of China's top 10 renowned exhibition districts.

A previous Qingdao International Beer Festival. [Photo by Liu Yongfa for chinadaily.com.cn]