The ground-breaking ceremony for Weifang-based Shandong Bohai Bay Port Group Co and the foundation ceremony for Bohai Bay Port Group's Shipping Trade Center were held on July 4. 

A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Shandong Port Industry-City Integration Development Group Co and Weifang National High-Tech Zone during the event.

Focusing on accelerating construction of world-class sea ports, Shandong Port Group (SPG) has followed the instructions of the central government and implemented guidance from the Shandong provincial Party committee and government since its establishment. In 2019, SPG's overall cargo throughput reached 1.32 billion tons, while container throughput reached 29.56 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), ranking No 1 and No 2 respectively among China's coastal ports.

The Bohai Bay Port Group has showcased SPG's strong actions and solemn promise in integrating into, developing and serving Weifang city. It is also seen as one more impressive result in the jointly promotion of port-industry-city integration.

The strategic cooperation agreement between Shandong Port Industry-City Integration Development Group Co and Weifang National High-Tech Zone is expected to leverage, consolidate and improve their respective advantages and competitiveness. Through centering on project cooperation, the two sides will strengthen the optimal allocation of resources and comparative strengths. All these efforts will promote SPG to become a partner in advancing Weifang's high-quality economic development, which is of great importance in achieving win-win results in port-city collaboration.

The Bohai Bay Port Group's Shipping Trade Center Project is considered significant in SPG's support of the strategy of creating a "thriving city by port" devised by the Weifang Party committee and the Weifang government. It will also help SPG to integrate deeply into regional development, lifting the integration reform of ports in Shandong province to a higher level.

Taking advantage of the opportunities brought about by national strategies, the group will step up efforts to boost port-industry-city coordinated development in a bid to fully integrate into the economic and social development of Weifang, said Cai Zhongtang, executive deputy general manager of SPG.