During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), Qingdao has accelerated the development of its modern marine industrial system, achieving significant progress in several marine research and innovation platforms. The city's gross marine product consistently ranks third among all Chinese cities, underscoring its enhanced marine capabilities and distinctive character.

Nurtured by the ocean, the color blue defines Qingdao's identity. Over the past five years, the city has prioritized the ocean as a strategic focus for high-quality development. The marine industry now contributes about one-third of Qingdao's GDP, and its marine economy maintains a top-three national ranking.

Qingdao accelerates the development of its modern marine industrial system, achieving significant progress in several marine research and innovation platforms. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Significant advancements have been made in the city's major platforms over the years. The Center for Ocean Mega-Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched high-quality operations in 2021. In 2022, a national deep-sea base project, China's first deep-sea technology support base, completed acceptance. The UN Ocean Decade Cooperation Center was established in 2023.

Qingdao has also established numerous high-end innovation platforms focusing on marine equipment, new energy, and breeding. The city has formed a distinctive, tiered laboratory system, with six national key laboratories, 25 provincial labs, and 69 municipal labs in the marine field.

Nurtured by the ocean, the color blue defines Qingdao's identity. [Photo/Qingdao News]

Qingdao's innovation matrix in the marine sector is robust. The city hosts 15 marine-related universities, 42 research institutes, and 56 new-type R&D institutions. With 25 academicians and over 400,000 professionals in marine fields, Qingdao accounts for approximately 40 percent of China's high-end marine R&D platforms and 30 percent of its marine academicians, leading the nation in these critical metrics.

As a national cradle for marine technology innovation, Qingdao provides robust support for advancing the marine economy and achieving China's strategic ocean goals.

As a national cradle for marine technology innovation, Qingdao provides robust support for advancing the marine economy and achieving China's strategic ocean goals. [Photo/Guanhai News]