Shinan district in Qingdao city has recently garnered great recognition for its robust digital economy industrial cluster, as per the 2023 Shandong Province SMEs' Specialized Industrial Clusters list. The district stands alone as the only digital economy cluster to have achieved this recognition in Shandong province.

Covering roughly 195,700 square meters, the digital economy industrial cluster in Shinan is known for its high concentration of leading enterprises and strong innovative capabilities. It focuses on the development of high-end software, integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence – three pivotal areas of the digital economy.

Prominent enterprises, such as Hisense Group, Dingxin Communication, and Songli Holdings, contribute to this dynamic cluster, collectively creating a comprehensive industrial chain that encompasses software design, technology, R&D (research and development), and application promotion. This collaborative effort has fostered a thriving ecosystem centered on the software industry.

Housing 28 specialized SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and two "little giant" enterprises, this cluster boasts distinct and specialized offerings. In 2022, the cluster's total output value hit 54.66 billion yuan ($7.63 billion). Over the previous three years, the cluster's companies have spearheaded and contributed to the establishment of 56 national and industry standards, with the SMEs having registered 60 valid invention patents.

A view of Shinan. [Photo/IC]