Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong province, is counting on the development of "blue economy" to boost its growth in the future.

"Blue economy" refers to the development of all industries related to the sea, which the city heavily relies on for sustainable development.

"Qingdao has embarked on a key era of opening-up to the outside world," said Li Qun, the city's Party chief.

The city has entered the phase of modernization and internationalization in full swing, he said.

"We will focus on the development of 'blue economy' with a global outlook and international standards," he said.

The city has mapped out a "Blue Silicon Valley", West Coast New Zone and Hongdao Economic Zone for the layout of its marine economy.

Qingdao's coastline stretches more than 700 kilometers. [Hao Guoying / for China Daily]

The "Blue Silicon Valley", inspired by the technology hub in the United States, is a place to accommodate high-tech companies in marine science and technology. It will provide human resources support to the city.

The two economic zones with different industrial layouts are also designed to take in companies in the marine industries.

The State Council, China's cabinet, has approved the development plan of a blue economic zone in Shandong, which means the plan has been upgraded into a national strategy.

It is the first regional development plan that focuses on the sea in China.

Qingdao is designated as the leader of blue economy in the blueprint.

"With the implementation of the blueprint, Qingdao has unprecedented opportunities and also shoulders huge responsibility," Li said.

The city has attracted world's attention in recent months for the docking of the Liaoning, the country's first aircraft carrier, and the establishment of the National Deep-Sea Base in the city.

Qingdao is the homeport of the Liaoning and the Jiaolong, China's first manned deep-sea submersible, which will be relocated to the National Deep-Sea Base soon.

"The two events showed the important position of Qingdao in the national marine strategy," Li said.

The city is now carrying out an action plan under the name "blue stride", with the high-end marine industries at the center, he said.

The authorities will boost modern fishing industry and give support to high-tech companies in marine industry, he added.

They aim to build up a full marine industrial chain in Qingdao with the establishment of facilities for marine engineering as well as national bases of petrochemical and biochemical industries.

The city's marine economy has enjoyed double-digit growth in recent years, jumping from 66.5 billion yuan ($10.8 billion) in 2009 to 111.4 billion yuan in 2012.

In the first half of this year, the marine industries generated 59 billion yuan, nearly 30 percent of the city's GDP.

The per capita GDP of Qingdao has surpassed $10,000, the level of the moderately developed countries.

While maintaining the traditionally strong industries, the city is actively pushing forward economic transformation with marine economy high on the agenda.

Also, Li said environmental protection should always come first in the exploration of the ocean.

"We can't develop at the expense of the ocean," he said.

"We will strengthen scientific exploration of ocean resources and pay attention to its protection. We will achieve sustainable development and leave the valuable resources to future generations."

huqing@chinadaily.com.cn

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