Qingdao launched its science and innovation corridor on Nov 7, 2025, a major project aimed at driving high-quality development through technological advancement. The initiative was detailed at a press conference on Jan 15.

Positioned as the city's new innovation artery and industrial backbone, the corridor seeks to integrate resources, foster industrial transformation, and cultivate new productive forces. It represents a strategic effort by Qingdao to implement national innovation-driven development policies and strengthen self-reliance in core technologies.

Stretching 53 kilometers along the coast, the corridor covers 190 square kilometers. It links the Laoshan and Licang districts with the Qingdao Oceantec Valley. This zone is filled with science, manufacturing, and innovative ideas.

The layout follows a "one corridor, three cities, multiple clusters" model. The "three cities" each have a role: an intelligent industry city in Laoshan for new industries; a youth innovation city in Licang for livable, integrated workspaces; and an ocean science city in Qingdao Oceantec Valley for marine tech. These have six specialized innovation clusters.

By 2027, the corridor will have over 45 percent of the city's key labs and new R&D places, with growth in patents, talent, and tech firms. By 2035, the goal is to make a globally influential zone that generates disruptive technologies and world-leading enterprises, solidifying Qingdao as a national leader in sci-tech innovation and a pioneer in marine sciences.

Qingdao launches its science and innovation corridor on Nov 7, 2025, a major project aimed at driving high-quality development through technological advancement. [Photo/Guanhai News]