Shandong, a province with a strong economy, has led the way nationally in forging new ideas and pushing ahead with a comprehensive strategy of opening up.

Shandong has taken the initiative to align itself with major national strategies, deeply integrated into the vision of world economic development, and actively built a platform for cooperation between China and foreign countries.

Actively implementing the national strategies　　 

The Europe-Asia freight trains under the name of "Qilu" departed from Qingdao Jiaozhou Railway Station and headed for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries on Feb 27, filled with electronic product goods, auto parts and other materials.

Since the beginning of this year, the "Qilu" freight trains have run 103 round trips, becoming an important carrier for Shandong to connect countries along the Belt and Road.

In January, Shandong's total import and export value to countries along the Belt and Road increased by 13.4 percent.

This is a microcosm of Shandong's activities in implementing the national strategy.

"In the north, there is the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province. In the south, there is the Yangtze River Economic Belt. However, Shandong is at the edge of these major strategies," said Liu Bing, dean of the Shandong Provincial Macroeconomic Research Institute.

"From another perspective, Shandong is surrounded by these strategies and has actively integrated into the country's major strategic layout, which can win a broader space for development," he added.

Shandong proposed to speed up the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, take the initiative to undertake the dispersal of Beijing's non-capital functions and the industrial transfer of Beijing and Tianjin, and actively serve the construction of Xiong'an New Area.

As the leader of China's engine industry, Weichai Group is determined to deepen the Belt and Road Initiative and the rise of Chinese manufacturing at home and abroad. 

At present, Weichai is steadily advancing the joint venture project with the Belarusian Maz Group in the China-Belarus Industrial Park. The diesel engine has undergone trial production.

Chen Yong, secretary of Dezhou Municipal Party Committee, described the prospects of building a base for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei industries, the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, the supply of high-quality agricultural products and labor transfer, developing an important ecological functional area in the southern part of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, and deeply integrating into the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area. 

It has been widely accepted by all relevant parties in Shandong province to break through the barrier of ideas, clear up ideological obstructions and seize the opportunities in the process of actively implementing the national strategy.

Viewing the world and being viewed by the world

In January of this year, Shandong Ruyi Holding Group acquired America's Leica, the world's first brand of spandex fiber.

Almost simultaneously, global top 500 company BP opened its first new branded station in Shandong.

Since the launch of reform and opening up, Shandong has seen brilliant achievements in economic and social development, but also concerns have been expressed that the pace of it is not fast enough.

Shandong province has made clear its intentions to expand into international and domestic markets and adopt a more open attitude.

Last year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao allowed Shandong to deepen its economic and trade cooperation with SCO countries. The "post-summit" effect continues to prevail.

A number of major events such as Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, Confucian Merchants Conference and the International Summit on Innovation and Development of Young Entrepreneurs gathered personnel, projects and capital to inject a strong impetus into Shandong's development.

As the door opens wider, more vitality is injected into Shandong’s economy. Facing an uncertain external environment, the total value of Shandong's foreign trade hit a record high last year. The growth rate of actually used foreign capital ranked second among provinces and cities that exceeded ten billions dollars.

In January of this year, the two indicators increased by 10.4 percent and 9.2 percent respectively, and continued to maintain a stable trend.

This year, Shandong will continue to exchange business cards with the world. More exciting things are coming Shandong’s way, with the hosting of the Qingdao Summit of Multinational Corporation Leaders, the Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia and the International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Conference.

A heavy-duty truck transports containers at a foreign trade container terminal in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, on June 8, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit is held in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province on June 9 to 10. [Photo/VCG]

BP opens its first branded station in Shandong on Jan 29, 2019. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]