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  • http://qingdao.chinadaily.com.cn/xihaian/2022-10/20/c_692509.htm
  • http://qingdao.chinadaily.com.cn/xihaian/2021-11/27/c_685340.htm

Overview

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: October 20, 2022

Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA) was approved as a State-level new area by the State Council on June 3, 2014, becoming the ninth State-level new area in China and the only State-level new area in East China's Shandong province.

The new area is located at the west side of Jiaozhou Bay in the coastal city of Qingdao and is one of the three main urban areas of Qingdao. It covers 2,096 square kilometers of land and about 5,000 sq km of ocean. Focusing on marine economy and enjoying provincial-level jurisdiction, Qingdao WCNA is leading Qingdao's socio-economic development.

A leading area for high-quality development

In 2021, Qingdao WCNA's GDP increased by 10.3 percent year-on-year to 436.85 billion yuan ($60.76 billion), accounting for 31 percent of the city's total, making it the first in Qingdao to surpass the 400-billion-yuan mark. The figure also put Qingdao WCNA among the top three of the 19 State-level new areas, first among 137 counties and districts in Shandong province and fourth among the top 100 districts in China.

A new highland for reform and opening-up

Qingdao WCNA has carried out 127 pilot reform programs above the municipal-level. The China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Qingdao Area, or Qingdao FTZ, which is located in Qingdao WCNA, has been focusing on institutional innovation. In the past three years, a total of 226 reform and innovation measures have been applied in the Qingdao FTZ, two of which have been replicated and promoted nationwide, and 29 have been replicated and promoted across the province.

Qingdao WCNA has 16 national-level opening-up platforms. The Qingdao FTZ, International Economic Cooperation Zone, Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone, and Qingdao Qianwan Comprehensive Bonded Zone are all located in the area. There are 1,788 foreign-invested enterprises and 285 projects invested by the world's top 500 enterprises.

A new model for urban construction

Qingdao WCNA has made many efforts to improve transportation infrastructure, public spaces, businesses, housing and civic facilities. For instance, it plans to complete the renovation of 14 hilltop parks and open all of them to the public within this year.

As it strives to become a "Metropolis of Film, Island of Music, City of Beer and Coast of Exhibition", Qingdao WCNA has been continuing to enhance its soft power and comprehensive competitiveness as a State-level new area.

A new paradigm of livability and happiness

Qingdao WCNA is rich in natural resources, complete in business facilities, matured in educational and medical systems, and sound in financial and legal service systems. It has formed an international living environment suitable for living and working. The new area won the China Best Employment Promotion Award in 2020, and has received the National Excellent City of Social Governance Innovation honor three times for advancing innovation in social governance.

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An aerial view of the Qingdao West Coast New Area [Photo/WeChat ID: qdxihaianfabu]