As the integration of Jiaodong Economic Circle continues to progress, the five cities of Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Weifang and Rizhao in Shandong province have become the principal members of this circle. Looking back at the integration reform since its establishment, Shandong Port Group (SPG) has marched forward upholding the development philosophy of concerted efforts, following the development path of industry-city integration. These efforts have made SPG the pacesetter in helping Jiaodong Economic Circle achieve high-quality and coordinated development.

The group has stepped up efforts to accelerate integration reform, completing the integration of the four port groups within seven cities in Shandong province since its establishment on Aug 6, 2019. The group has formed strong synergies in promoting the integrated reform and development of SPG. Li Fengli, deputy Party secretary, board director and general manager of SPG, said that the better the ports it builds, the quicker it will advances the integration of Jiaodong Economic Circle.

The ports will not only offer logistics support for the integration of the circle, but also explore new ways to advance innovative development in various industries. Through connecting, replacing and integrating port resources and services with cities, SPG expects to make the industrial pie even bigger, with the aim of achieving port-city connectivity and mutual prosperity.

These kind of industry synergies have received strong responses from the cities while delivering impressive results. The East-to-South Coal Transport project is one such case. In addition, more efforts are being given to develop projects in industry-city integration. SPG is carrying out comprehensive cooperation with the 16 prefecture-level cities in Shandong, including the five member cities to build unity in integrating ports and cities in a bid to write a new chapter of port-industry-city integration.

The Jiaodong Economic Circle has taken swift but steady steps to move forward since its integration reform. The five member cities treasure their own distinct beauty and promote shared prosperity. The group has realized progress in two indexes during the first five months of 2020 despite the outbreak of COVID-19. Overall throughput reached 576 million tons, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.8 percent, while container throughput rose 2 percent year-on-year to 12.1 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit). Another 13 foreign trade shipping routes were launched.

The five cities have witnessed and shared the initial benefits empowered by ports integration. A consensus was reached on working together to firm up the development of Jiaodong Economic Circle. Centering on port-industry-city integration, cruise culture and tourism, SPG stands ready to conduct multifield, in-depth and all-dimensional cooperation with prefecture-level cities to jointly promote high-quality, coordinated development of Jiaodong Economic Circle, said Huo Gaoyuan, Party secretary and chairman of SPG.