The Shandong Business Club, a platform to facilitate opening up and cooperation, was launched on Aug 14 in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province.

Located in Hall 6 of the Qingdao International Convention Center, the 6,000-square-meter Shandong Business Club comprises promotional areas for Shandong's 16 cities, as well as Anshun in Guizhou province and Longnan in Gansu province, two cities that are cooperating with Qingdao in poverty relief.

According to local officials, the business club will leverage Qingdao's resource advantages in international business to build an integrated platform for exhibitions, promotions, road shows, and trade associations.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao, said that Qingdao has spared no efforts in turning itself into a catalyst for Shandong's opening up.

"Using Qingdao as a gateway, high-quality global resources will be continuously transported to 16 cities in Shandong. Meanwhile, Shandong companies and Shandong culture will go global through Qingdao," he said.

Wang added the launch of the Shandong Business Club will better serve the high-quality development of Shandong province as well as the integrated development of the Jiaodong Economic Circle.

The club will also host city-themed promotional activities to facilitate business and attract investments.

Qingdao has in recent years launched business clubs catered to different markets, including the Qingdao-Israel International Business Club and the Qingdao-Japan International Business Club. They are aimed at boosting global cooperation and exploring opportunities for local economic growth.

The Shandong Business Club opens on Aug 14 in Qingdao. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Shandong's 16 cities, as well as Anshun in Guizhou province and Longnan in Gansu province, are promoted at the business club. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

The promotional area for Longnan in Gansu province [Photo/qingdaonews.com]