The world's first carbon fiber subway train starts operating on Line 1 of the Qingdao Metro on Jan 10, marking its commencement in commercial operation. [Photo/Dazhong News]

At the opening of the third session of the 14th Shandong Provincial People's Congress on Jan 20 in Jinan – capital of East China's Shandong province – the Government Work Report delivered by governor Zhou Naixiang highlighted many "firsts".

That was when he was describing the high-quality development of the province.

Among them, a groundbreaking event on Jan 10 marked the debut of the world's first carbon fiber metro train.

The CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express started operating on Metro Line 1 of Qingdao, a coastal city in the province, heralding a new era of lightweight and eco-friendly subway transportation.

The achievement is said to symbolize Shandong's leadership in innovation and progress.

The reported said the past year witnessed significant milestones in Shandong's development history.

Industrial upgrades were seen as being remarkable, with the province establishing three new national advanced manufacturing clusters and securing 235 national manufacturing champions.

The digital economy flourished, accounting for over 49 percent of gross regional product, with COSMOPlat becoming the first industrial internet brand to surpass a trillion yuan ($137 billion). Foreign trade hit 3.38 trillion yuan, with exports surpassing 2 trillion yuan for the first time.

In terms of technological innovation, Shandong unveiled a 12-inch silicon carbide substrate and the world's largest lithium niobate crystal.

The launch of the solid-fuel-only Gravity -1 rocket, the world's largest diameter Shanhe underwater shield tunnel and Haikui No. 1 – Asia's first cylindrical floating oil-gas production, storage and offloading facility – reportedly marked global milestones.

Elsewhere, Weichai diesel engines achieved a fourth world record in thermal efficiency, while the province broke foreign monopolies in polyolefin plants and high-strength carbon fiber materials. What's more, a strategic mineral exploration campaign yielded China's first billion-ton iron ore deposit.

On rural revitalization and infrastructure expansion, the report said Shandong led the nation in agricultural, forestry, husbandry and fishery output – with a total value of 1.28 trillion yuan.

The province also excelled in grain, oil, fruit, vegetables, meat and aquatic products. Shandong's high-speed rail network blew past a combined length of 3,000 kilometers, ranking it first nationwide, while coastal ports handled over 2 billion tons of goods, also leading the country.

Behind these sterling achievements lies Shandong's innovative economic strategies, targeted policies and precise services. The province focused on implementing major policies, driving industrial innovation through technological advancements, deepening comprehensive reforms and opening up and enhancing the business environment.

All in all, Shandong's progress said to exemplify a commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainable development – positioning the province as a trailblazer in China's economic landscape.