Qingdao sets ambitious goals for 2024

Qingdao in Shandong province vows to strengthen the quality of its economy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao, a city in Shandong province, will continuously pursuing high-quality development and better fulfill its leading role in Shandong's development into a modern and strong province, according to the city's top official.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a crucial year for the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). Qingdao will promote investment, stimulate consumption, stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, and promote economic growth, prioritizing quality over quantity.

The city will also work to create new advantages in building a modern industrial system, vigorously promote new industrialization, drive the improvement and efficiency of advantageous industries, strengthen the development of emerging industries, improve modern service industries, develop the digital economy, and strengthen the marine economy to consolidate its foundation for high-quality development.

Qingdao will also pursue innovation-driven development, prioritize scientific and technological innovation, leverage the role of enterprises as innovators, and create new development momentum through technological innovation.

The city's top official vowed to comprehensively deepen reform and opening-up, coordinate the development and utilization of open platforms such as the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Demonstration Zone and the Qingdao Area of the Shandong Free Trade Pilot Zone, advance reforms in key areas such as State-owned enterprises, the private economy, and the fiscal and financial sectors, and build a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, governed by the rule of law, and internationalized.

Qingdao will also continue to increase investment in people's livelihoods, promote urban planning and construction, comprehensively advance rural vitalization, earnestly and effectively address people's livelihood issues, and ensure that the benefits of reform and development are spread across society.