This year the Shinan district – located in East China's Shandong province – set out its goals for becoming a core area of the modern international metropolis of Qingdao and accelerating its establishment as a pilot zone for the area's transformation and development.

Stressing the importance of science and technology in Shinan's pursuit of becoming a modern socialist urban core area, the district has set up 128 innovation platforms at all levels, including 54 at the national, provincial and ministerial levels.

There are 10 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering in the district, as well as 76 people there officially rated as leading innovation and entrepreneurship talent.

In 2020, a total 34 new high-tech enterprises were added in the district and the total number of high-tech enterprises there reached 236. Last year, the total technology contract transaction volume was worth 7.3 billion yuan ($1.13 billion).  

In addition to targeting global sci-tech frontiers, the district's sci-tech development is also expected to contribute to its wider economy and help with the development of the local maritime industry.

On June 17, the first maritime business incubator was officially inaugurated in Shinan.