The construction commencement of port-industry-city intergration projects [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port] 

The commencement ceremony for the integrated port-industry-city project of Qingdao Port – operated by Shandong Port Group Co Ltd, or SPG – took place on March 2 in the Dongjiakou port area of Qingdao Port, located in East China's Shandong province.

It marked the coordinated launch of SPG's first group of integrated port-industry-city projects in Qingdao in 2021, with a total investment of 14.1 billion yuan ($2.18 billion).

In line with its commitment to become the "golden partner" contributing to regional cities' growth since its establishment, SPG has signed strategic cooperation agreements with 16 prefecture-level cities in Shandong -- in an effort to jointly advance integrated port-city development and achieve mutually beneficial results.

By setting out the building of an internationally advanced industry-city integrated ports as one of its development goals and including industry-city development within its 11 business segments, SPG has comprehensively supported regional socio-economic development through active participation and deep integration.

Integrated port-industry-city development has been written into Shandong's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

By the end of last year, SPG had invested a total of 21.1 billion yuan in Qingdao, making a tangible contribution and giving a concrete boost to the city's regional economic growth.

In 2021, SPG will actively serve and align itself with national development strategies, in a bid to achieve high-quality and integrated port-industry-city development. By doing so, the company will promote the economic development of sub-national cities, bolster the transformation and upgrading of ports and neighboring industrial clusters, as well as advance port-industry-city construction.

In January alone, an integrated port-industry-city project with a total investment of 13.8 billion yuan  was commenced in Rizhao city.

Meanwhile, the RCEP Qingdao Innovation Pilot Zone for Economic and Trade Cooperation, which focuses on building a new platform for "10+5" members to advance national and global cooperation, has settled in the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal area. The innovation pilot zone is expected to  attract a headquarters economy, as well as revenues and employment for Qingdao -- injecting vitality to expand the city's openness and development.

This centralized project includes 14 key projects covering five different areas. After completion, these projects will further improve Dongjiakou port area's cargo transportation capacity, energy storage capacity as well as its collection and distribution capacity.

The potential of the port in reaching neighboring areas and pulling resources together will be further realized. More efforts will be made to accelerate the construction of a national energy storage center and a commodity collection and distribution center. All these endeavors will promote and provide better services for integrated port-industry-city development.

According to officials, SPG is expected to promote several key projects with a total investment of 42.5 billion yuan in Qingdao in 2021. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, SPG will strive to promote 50-plus key projects worth 60 billion yuan in investment.

Going forwards, SPG will make all-out efforts to help Qingdao realize prosperity and accelerate its high-quality development, thus making greater and fresh contributions.