Geographic Location and Natural Environment

Qingdao is located at the southern tip of the Shandong Peninsula (35'35' ~ 37'09'N, 119'30'~ 121'00'E). It is characterized by a unique blend of sea and mountains and a pleasant climate. Qingdao has a total coastline (including its islands) of 870 kilometers, 730 kilometers of which are continental coastline, accounting for one fourth of the total length in Shandong Province. There are numerous capes and coves along the zigzag coastline.

Qingdao has seven urban districts and five county-level cities under its jurisdiction with a total area of 10,654 square kilometers and a population of 7,311,200. The urban area measures 1,102 square kilometers and urban residents total 2,584,000.

Qingdao lies in the North Temperate Zone and has the typical temperate monsoon climate. Under the direct influence of the southeastern monsoon and the sea currents and tides, the city proper features marked marine climate ? humid air, mild temperature and clear-cut seasons. In spring, the weather becomes warmer slowly, usually one month later than the inland areas. It is humid and rainy in summer, but is free from fiercely hot days, while cool and dry in autumn. Winter here is long and usually windy but not unbearably cold.

History
As the birthplace of Taoism, Qingdao has a long history. Human settlement on this soil dates from 6,000 years ago. In the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), the town of Jimo was established, which was then the second largest in the Shandong region. After unifying China in 221 BC, Ying Zheng, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, thrice climbed to the top of the Langyatai Hill in the present satellite city of Jiaonan. Xu Fu, an official of the Qin Dynasty, set sail with his fleet at the foot of the Langyatai Hill eastbound to Korea and Japan. Liu Che, one of the emperors during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD) held sacrificial rites at the Jiaomen Palace in Mt. Buqi, which is now in Chengyang District of Qingdao. He also ordered nine temples to be constructed in Mt. Nugu along the Jiaozhou Bay, to worship God and his ancestors. By the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911AD), Qingdao had grown into a prosperous town known then as Jiao'ao.   
    
Qingdao city was first established on June 14, 1891, when the Qing government sent troops here. In November 1897, Germany occupied 

Qingdao by force on the pretext of the Juye Litigation over religious disputes. When the First World War broke out in 1914, Japanese invaders took over Qingdao and continued the colonial rule. In protest against the then Chinese government yielding to Japanese pressure, demanding the resumption of China's sovereignty over Qingdao ignited the famous May 4th Movement in 1919. On December 10, 1922, the Northern Warlord government regained control of Qingdao and established a government office for port commercial affairs. It was in July, 1929 that Qingdao was granted the status of the Special City and in 1930 was officially renamed "Qingdao". In January 1938, the Japanese troops invaded Qingdao again, but their occupation came to an end in September 1945 when the KMT government regained control of the city. On June 2, 1949, Qingdao was liberated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China , who put a decisive end to the five decades of turbulence and colonial rule. In 1986 Qingdao was authorized to exercise special State plans and was given the status equivalent to provincial economic administration. In 1994, Qingdao was included in the country's 15 vice-provincial-level- city list.

 

Urban Construction and Planning 

Targeting at a " world-renowned city with distinctive features" and a " national key center city", Qingdao's focus is on develop the three economic fields of port, tourism and marine science as well as on the construction of the four industrial bases for  home appliances and electronics, petrochemicals, automobile, locomotive manufacturing and shipbuilding and new materials.  Qingdao is currently developing six industrial clusters for home appliances, electronic information, petrochemicals, automobile, shipbuilding and port as well as building a regional shipping center, logistics center, service center, financial center and high-tech industrial center.

Qingdao's development is based on the concept of "three-point layout", "one-line planning" and "group development strategy". The "three-point layout" refers to the development of the Jiaozhou Bay region relying on the three basic points of the old urban district of Qingdao, Huangdao and Hongdao, and the construction of the new urban district by connecting the three points with a trans-oceanic bridge or undersea tunnel and the Jiaozhou Bay Expressway. The "one-line planning" refers to building a coastal highway from Langyatai in Jiaonan to Tianhengdao Island in Jimo, which will connect all parts of the city to form a main urban development belt. The "group development strategy" refers to the expansion of business groups on both sides of the coastal highway. There will be seven development groups respectively in Tianhengdao Island, Aoshan, Zhucheng, Hongdao, Huangdao, Jiaonan and Langyatai, which will push forward the urbanization of the adjacent regions.

To carry out the west coast development strategy: this involves the westward relocation of the port, and the construction of an "international port" and an international transshipment port. It will promote investment in large projects and the emergence of a new economic center on the west coast.
To construct "five areas": by adjusting the productivity layout, a development mode will be established in five areas:  the city's west coast and east coast, the North bank of the Jiaozhou Bay, the suburban areas and the old urban area. The plan will be carried out in strict accordance with administration layout adjustment .

Culture and Healthcare

The cultural undertaking in Qingdao has been flourishing. There are altogether 495 cultural institutions in the city, including 29 cinemas and theaters, 214 film projecting teams, 153 cultural organizations, seven museums, 13 public libraries, 11 performance troupes, one radio station with 11 channels and one television station with 15 channels. Qingdao had 1,551,000 cable television users, 150,000 of which were digital television users. The city issued a total of 17.5 million copies of magazines and 645.936 million copies of newspapers. A total of 332 literary works were published, of which, 29 won provincial or national awards. There are 14 archives in the city.

The medical service sector experienced a steady development. The city has a total of 3,212 medical institutions, 33,000 medical workers and could accommodate 24,000 hospitalized patients.
Tourism and Sightseeing

 
Tousrism and Sightseeing

 

Qingdao is an excellent tourist city. It is also an important transportation hub and a seaport in east China entitled to the visa processing for overseas tourists and visa exempting for short-term (within 15 days) Japanese tourists.

Qingdao has beautiful scenery and an agreeable climate. As early as in the 1920s, Qingdao became a famous tourist resort. Zigzag seashore , undulating hills, European-style red-roofed houses and green trees make the city unique. Historical sites and constantly improved modern facilities add to the attractiveness of the city. Qingdao is an excellent place for sightseers, holidaymakers and for holding business talks and exhibitions.

In the west of the city is the old urban area which is known for its red-roofed houses, green trees, blue sea and azure sky; in the east is the new urban area dotted with modern high buildings. Both the old and new areas constitute a seaside city with both European and Asian landscapes.

Walking along the coastal sidewalk, tourists can enjoy the beautiful coastal sights of the city. From west to east, the entire scenic area is divided into four scenic spots with their own special features.

Historical Culture and Euro-Asian Culture Area
This area contains numerous cultural relics against the beautiful natural scenery. This valuable heritage of the century-old city is a result of the combination of eastern and western cultures. Historical sites, foreign-style villas and excellent beaches form a unique Euro-Asian culture area.

The western-style buildings here feature the architecture of over 20 countries. Typical ones include the former German Governor's Residence and Office Building, the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and the villa area in Badaguan, where numerous newly-weds, photographers and tourists visit all year round.

Tourist attractions in the East of Qingdao
Donghai Road, Hong Kong Road, Macao Road, the Sculpture Garden of Cultural Celebrities, the May 4th Square and the Music Square, etc. form magnificent scenery for this modern international metropolis.

Shilaoren National Holiday Resort
Unique tourist villas, hotels, excellent beaches and numerous cultural and sports facilities like the Seaside Sculpture Park, the Dolphinarium, the International Beer City, the Golf Course, the International Convention Center, the Cultural Exhibition Center, the Century Square and the Sports Center are all places visitors should not miss. Such projects as the Qingdao Polar Sea World, the Modern Arts Center, and the Yacht Club are now under construction. All these will make Qingdao a comprehensive tourist area with facilities for holidaymaking, amusement, exhibition and sports competitions.

Laoshan National Scenic Spot
Located by the seaside of the Yellow Sea, the 1,133-meter-high Mt. Laoshan is known as the No.1 religious mountain along China's coastline and the birthplace of Taoism. Entitled a national tourist attraction by the State Council, this area is composed of nine sections, five scenic spots under restoration and some surrounding scenic spots. It is a national model scenic area, which ranks a national 4A ranking.
Laoshan Mountain has a humid temperate climate. It is an important shrine for spreading Taoism, known as the "Second Largest Taoist Monastery in the World". Grotesque rocks in the mountain resemble all kinds of live creatures, so Laoshan Mountain is known as a natural sculpture park. The ancient trees, rare vegetation and rich natural resources, especially mineral water and undersea jades, have made Laoshan Mountain widely known.

Qingdao enjoys an abundance of natural scenic spots and places of interest in its outskirt regions. In the famous Langyatai Tourist Resort where the Yue Emperor Goujian met his dukes and princes, the relics can be found. It is here that Yingzheng, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, paid visits for three times; and from here Xufu sailed eastward for Japan. Tianhengdao Island is a historic site recording the heroic feats of five hundred soldiers who died as martyrs in the West Han Dynasty more than two thousand years ago. The Cliff Inscriptions in Mt. Tianzhu in Pingdu are regarded as national treasures. The State-level nature reserve Mashan Hoodoos, and the Great Wall Relics of the Qi Kingdom in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) can also be found in this area.

In 2004, Qingdao received as many as 522,000 overseas tourists (person-time ) who contributed US$ 288 million to the local revenue, and a total of 21.57 million domestic tourists who left 18.378 billion yuan to the local treasury. The total revenue from tourism in 2004 reached 20.77 billion yuan.

People’s Life and Environment
 
 

 

The new urban area of Qingdao developed in the 1990s has become the political, economic, financial and cultural center of the city.New high-rise buildings have been erected ininstead of  shanty houses.
For years, the Qingdao Municipal Government has stressed the overall development of the city in urban planning, ecological construction and residential buildings. As a result, a beautiful, clean and comfortable living environment with complete functions has been constructed. Accordingly the city was named a "national model" for city sanitation, environmental protection and greening. The city ranks the first for the "China Human Settlements and Environment Award", and became one of the cities with the best environment in China.

The income and expenditure of the residents grew steadily, and people's living conditions further improved. In 2004, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 11,089 yuan, an increase of 10.1 percent over the previous year; the per capita consumption was 9,002 yuan, an increase of 11.7 percent. The Engel's coefficient was 38 percent. The per capita net income of farmers was 5,080 yuan, an increase of 12.1 percent year-on-year; and the per capita consumption was 3,353 yuan, an increase of 12.2 percent. The annual average income of employees was 13,445 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent. The per capita living space for urban residents was 24.19 square meters and that for rural residents was 27.99 square meters
 

An Important Coastal City in East China

Qingdao is a key economic center and port city in China famous for its cultural heritage and picturesque scenery.

Qingdao is one of China's top ten economically dynamic cities and top ten business cities. It is the winner of the country's "Entrepreneur's Satisfaction Award".

Qingdao is a national model for environmental protection, city sanitation and landscape development. It is the winner of "China Human Settlements and Environment Award".

Qingdao is a sailing city in China. The 29th Olympic sailing regatta will be held here in 2008.

Qingdao is one of the 14 coastal cities opening up to the outside world and one of the eight cities authorized to hold international conferences.

Qingdao is one of China's major seaports for foreign trade.

Qingdao is an important base for marine science research in China.

Economy Developement

After the last two decades of reform and opening-up and continuous industrial restructuring, six pillar industries including electronics and telecom, information and home appliances, chemical engineering and rubber, beverage and food, automobile and shipbuilding, garment and ornaments have taken shape in Qingdao. According to preliminary statistics, the city's GDP in 2004 was 216.38 billion yuan, increasing by 16.8 percent over the previous year, the fastest growth rate since 1994. Among the above-mentioned increase , primary industry accounted for 16.18 billion yuan, secondary industry 117.14 billion yuan , and tertiary industry 83.06 billion yuan, an increase of 2.7 percent, 21.1 percent and 14.2 percent respectively. The proportion of the three industries was at 7.5:54.1:38.4. This ranked the city at the 11th in comprehensive economic strength, and 5th in the 15 vice-provincial-level cities in the country.

In 2004, Qingdao accomplished 13.051 billion yuan of local financial revenue in the general budget, and 16.406 billion yuan of local financial expenditure in the general budget, up 28.5 percent and 16.9 percent respectively over the previous year.

The urban and rural residents' income grew steadily and the trading of commodities in both urban and rural areas was flourishing. In 2004, the total retail sales of consumer goods surpassed 60 billion yuan , reaching 60.55 billion yuan, an increase of 15.8 percent over the previous year.

In 2004, Qingdao's export and import value (including central and provincial government-owned companies) totaled US$ 26.988 billion, of which export was US$ 15.782 billion and import was US$ 11.206 billion, an increase of 30.6 percent, 27.4 percent and 35.6 percent respectively over the previous year.

A total of 2,423 foreign-invested projects were approved in 2004, with a total contracted foreign investment of US$ 6.766 billion and an actually utilized foreign investment of US$ 3.817 billion, increasing by 7.8 percent, 27.2 percent and 33.1 percent respectively over the previous year.

Qingdao has established trade relations with 192 countries and regions. By the end of 2004, a total of 76 international Fortune 500 companies had established 132 projects in Qingdao.

Qingdao is rich in agricultural resources: grains, edible oil, timber, fruits, livestock and marine products, in particular. Dazeshan grapes, grown in Pingdu, are well-known worldwide. There are a great many bays and coves along the coastline of Qingdao, with a large area of shallows ideal for aquaculture. Common aquatic  products found and harvested in Qingdao include porgies, yellow croaker, common perch, abalone, oysters, prawns, scallops, sea cucumber, crabs and top shell

Agriculture

Qingdao is rich in agricultural resources: grains, edible oil, timber, fruits, livestock and marine products, in particular. Dazeshan grapes, grown in Pingdu, are well-known worldwide. There are a great many bays and coves along the coastline of Qingdao, with a large area of shallows ideal for aquaculture. Common aquatic  products found and harvested in Qingdao include porgies, yellow croaker, common perch, abalone, oysters, prawns, scallops, sea cucumber, crabs and top shell.

In 2007, Qingdao governments at various levels took action to carry out preferential policies for farmers, rural areas and agriculture. Investments in the agricultural sector were increased to foster a stable production growth.

Crop harvests were basically constant. The seeded areas for crops totaled 475,600 hectares, down 4.5%. Total grain output reached 3,007,400 tons, down 1%. By the end of 2007, Qingdao had 413,100 hectares of cultivated land, up 0.1%.

Output of Major Farm Products:
2007                    (ton)                 +/-% over the previous year
Total grain output      3,007,400              -1
Including:
wheat                   1,395,600              -9.9
corn                    1,497,300               9.1
Peanuts                 496,000                 5.1
Vegetables              6,157,500               1.8
(excluding melons)
Fruit                   793,900                 -4.1

Output of Major Livestock Products:
2007                   (ton)                  +/-% over the previous year
Meat                     682,500                  3.0
Including: pork          271,100                 -1.4
Dairy and goat?s milk    459,900                  2.6
Fowl eggs                320,100                 -4.5

A total of 8,600 hectares of trees were planted during the year, down 35.1%. Forest coverage reached 33.76%, up 0.81 percent. 16,300 hectares of new growth were cultivated, down 9.9%.

Fishery products decreased. The total output of marine products decreased 3.6% to 1,205,200 tons. Of the total, 375,100 tons were from fishing, down 3.3% and 830,100 tons were from farmed fish, a decline of 3.7%. The combined seawater and freshwater farming area was 58,400 hectares, down 5.8%.
  
Agricultural infrastructure and production conditions further improved. By the end of 2007, farming machines totaled 6,801,600 KW of power, up 4.5%. Farming tractors numbered 173,300 and heavy farming trucks numbered 11,400. Rural power consumption totaled 4.257 billion KWh, up 2.9%. Total greenhouse area was 163,800 hectares, down 3.8%.]

Industry and Construction

Industry grew rapidly. In 2007, Qingdao realized 178.531 billion RMB in industrial added value, up 16.6%. The added value generated by corporations with annual sales revenue over 5 million RMB (hereafter referred to as industrial enterprises above designated size) totaled 169.681 billion RMB, up 21.32%. Of the total, 23.957 billion was finished by state-owned and controlled enterprises, up 21.1 %; 11.097 billion by collective enterprises, up 8.6%; 73.332 billion by shareholding enterprises, up 23.3%; 62.304 billion by enterprises invested by foreign companies and by compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, up 26.7%; and 9.332 billion by other types of businesses, up 54.8%. Both light and heavy industries grew relationally. Light industry finished with 80.139 billion RMB in added value, up 15.75% and heavy industry generated 89.542 billion RMB, up 26.89%. The ratio of light to heavy industry was 47.2:52.8.
  
Output of Major Industrial Products by Industrial Enterprises above Designated Size:
Product               2007      +/-% over the previous year
Yarn               47,900 tons            -6.05
Cloth               443,000,000 meters  -3.79
Chemical fiber           68,700 tons            -4.79    
Cigarettes             50.044 billion pieces (local)      5.19             
Beer            5,381,000 kilolitres             8.76 
Raw salt              192,300 tons           -7.73
Electricity generated      15.53 billion kWh   ?        21.33
Steel        3,655,500 tons                 1.29 
Crude oil processed    ? 2,865,800 tons                -1.38 ?
Caustic soda             149,100 tons                 -0.82
Soda ash               710,200 tons                11.07
Chemical pesticides       16,400 tons         ?      20.59
Dye stuffs              28,300 tons                6.5 ?
Tire casings          55,888,700 pieces  14.35 ?
Cement             4,255,300 tons       -0.37
Motor vehicles           61,016 units        21.36
Color TV sets            12,430,800 units        0.39
Household refrigerators    14,214,100 units        11.85
Room air conditioners     12,494,100 units       23.71

Industrial enterprises above the designated size performed well. In 2007, total pre-tax profits increased by 40.55% to 52.252 billion RMB with after-tax profits of 26.689 billion RMB, up 44.05%. Income from sales rose 28.93% to 646.255 billion RMB. The total industrial enterprise performance index was 209.67, up 34.74 percent over the previous year. The capital maintenance and appreciation was 118.29%. The sales ratio was 96.65%.

New and high technology industries grew rapidly. Industrial enterprises above the designated size turned out new and high-tech products valued at 309.192 billion RMB, up 28.66% year-to-year, accounting for 46.25% of the total turnover of enterprises above the designated size.

The construction industry grew steadily. In 2007, the industry generated 16.824 billion RMB in added industrial value, up 6.7% and 2.9 billion RMB in pre-tax profits, up 16%.
 

Agriculture

Qingdao is rich in agricultural resources: grains, edible oil, timber, fruits, livestock and marine products, in particular. Dazeshan grapes, grown in Pingdu, are well-known worldwide. There are a great many bays and coves along the coastline of Qingdao, with a large area of shallows ideal for aquaculture. Common aquatic  products found and harvested in Qingdao include porgies, yellow croaker, common perch, abalone, oysters, prawns, scallops, sea cucumber, crabs and top shell.

In 2007, Qingdao governments at various levels took action to carry out preferential policies for farmers, rural areas and agriculture. Investments in the agricultural sector were increased to foster a stable production growth.

Crop harvests were basically constant. The seeded areas for crops totaled 475,600 hectares, down 4.5%. Total grain output reached 3,007,400 tons, down 1%. By the end of 2007, Qingdao had 413,100 hectares of cultivated land, up 0.1%.

Output of Major Farm Products:
2007                    (ton)                 +/-% over the previous year
Total grain output      3,007,400              -1
Including:
wheat                   1,395,600              -9.9
corn                    1,497,300               9.1
Peanuts                 496,000                 5.1
Vegetables              6,157,500               1.8
(excluding melons)
Fruit                   793,900                 -4.1

Output of Major Livestock Products:
2007                   (ton)                  +/-% over the previous year
Meat                     682,500                  3.0
Including: pork          271,100                 -1.4
Dairy and goat?s milk    459,900                  2.6
Fowl eggs                320,100                 -4.5

A total of 8,600 hectares of trees were planted during the year, down 35.1%. Forest coverage reached 33.76%, up 0.81 percent. 16,300 hectares of new growth were cultivated, down 9.9%.

Fishery products decreased. The total output of marine products decreased 3.6% to 1,205,200 tons. Of the total, 375,100 tons were from fishing, down 3.3% and 830,100 tons were from farmed fish, a decline of 3.7%. The combined seawater and freshwater farming area was 58,400 hectares, down 5.8%.
  
Agricultural infrastructure and production conditions further improved. By the end of 2007, farming machines totaled 6,801,600 KW of power, up 4.5%. Farming tractors numbered 173,300 and heavy farming trucks numbered 11,400. Rural power consumption totaled 4.257 billion KWh, up 2.9%. Total greenhouse area was 163,800 hectares, down 3.8%.]

Industry and Construction

Industry grew rapidly. In 2007, Qingdao realized 178.531 billion RMB in industrial added value, up 16.6%. The added value generated by corporations with annual sales revenue over 5 million RMB (hereafter referred to as industrial enterprises above designated size) totaled 169.681 billion RMB, up 21.32%. Of the total, 23.957 billion was finished by state-owned and controlled enterprises, up 21.1 %; 11.097 billion by collective enterprises, up 8.6%; 73.332 billion by shareholding enterprises, up 23.3%; 62.304 billion by enterprises invested by foreign companies and by compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, up 26.7%; and 9.332 billion by other types of businesses, up 54.8%. Both light and heavy industries grew relationally. Light industry finished with 80.139 billion RMB in added value, up 15.75% and heavy industry generated 89.542 billion RMB, up 26.89%. The ratio of light to heavy industry was 47.2:52.8.
  
Output of Major Industrial Products by Industrial Enterprises above Designated Size:
Product               2007      +/-% over the previous year
Yarn               47,900 tons            -6.05
Cloth               443,000,000 meters  -3.79
Chemical fiber           68,700 tons            -4.79    
Cigarettes             50.044 billion pieces (local)      5.19             
Beer            5,381,000 kilolitres             8.76 
Raw salt              192,300 tons           -7.73
Electricity generated      15.53 billion kWh   ?        21.33
Steel        3,655,500 tons                 1.29 
Crude oil processed    ? 2,865,800 tons                -1.38 ?
Caustic soda             149,100 tons                 -0.82
Soda ash               710,200 tons                11.07
Chemical pesticides       16,400 tons         ?      20.59
Dye stuffs              28,300 tons                6.5 ?
Tire casings          55,888,700 pieces  14.35 ?
Cement             4,255,300 tons       -0.37
Motor vehicles           61,016 units        21.36
Color TV sets            12,430,800 units        0.39
Household refrigerators    14,214,100 units        11.85
Room air conditioners     12,494,100 units       23.71

Industrial enterprises above the designated size performed well. In 2007, total pre-tax profits increased by 40.55% to 52.252 billion RMB with after-tax profits of 26.689 billion RMB, up 44.05%. Income from sales rose 28.93% to 646.255 billion RMB. The total industrial enterprise performance index was 209.67, up 34.74 percent over the previous year. The capital maintenance and appreciation was 118.29%. The sales ratio was 96.65%.

New and high technology industries grew rapidly. Industrial enterprises above the designated size turned out new and high-tech products valued at 309.192 billion RMB, up 28.66% year-to-year, accounting for 46.25% of the total turnover of enterprises above the designated size.

The construction industry grew steadily. In 2007, the industry generated 16.824 billion RMB in added industrial value, up 6.7% and 2.9 billion RMB in pre-tax profits, up 16%.
 

Qingdao plays a significant role in China's economy and boasts of well developed port facilities and a highly-diversified industrial base, including manufacturing strengths in the locomotives sector and electronics, followed by shipbuilding, information technology, household appliances, petrochemicals and the port industry.

Qingdao is also famous for having some of the best companies in China. Among them, Haier is ranked among the top 5 in the world for home appliances and electronics.

Locomotives Sector
Qingdao rates second to none in the locomotive manufacturing sector. There are currently three large locomotive manufacturing enterprises in the city and a research and development center that leads the country in rail transport innovation. For example, the engine used to power trains on the world's highest rail-line, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, is made in Qingdao by the Nanche Sifang Locomotive Co. Ltd. By 2010, the annual output of high-end locomotives will reach 1,500 units and bring in sales revenue of over 20 billion RMB.

•  Household Appliances
Qingdao is the largest manufacturing base of household appliances in China, producing more than 25% of all appliances sold in the national household appliance market. By 2005, there were more than 80 enterprises in the field of household appliances, with an industrial output of 54 billion RMB, accounting for one third of the Qingdao's entire industrial output total. Renowned Qingdao-based enterprises in this sector include Haier, Hisense and Aucma.

•  Electronic and Information Technology
The industrial output of the electronic and information technology industry accounts for almost one fourth of the Qingdao's total industrial output, with sales revenue of 44 billion RMB. In September 2004, Qingdao was approved as a "National Electronic and Information Technology Industrial Base". In May 2005, the Qingdao Hi-tech Development Zone and the Qingdao Economic and Technical Development Zone were awarded the titles of "National Telecommunication Industrial Park" and "National Household Appliances Industrial Park" respectively.

•  Shipbuilding
Qingdao is an important international trade port and a sea transportation hub on the western edge of the Pacific Rim. Many foreign shipping enterprises and scientific research institutions have settled in Qingdao and there are 15 shipbuilding firms. In 2005, the shipbuilding sector's industrial output reached 2.2 billion RMB and the industry employed over 7,600 people. Ships built in Qingdao have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions, all over the globe. The Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., the Qingdao Shipyard and the Qingdao Lingshan Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. are the three largest shipyards in Qingdao and are mostly concentrated in the Jiaonan and Shinan Districts.

•  Port
Qingdao's port industry consists of more than 620 enterprises in the fields of container manufacturing and port services. In 2005, port operating revenue reached 16.8 billion RMB and there were over 3,600 employees. The Qingdao port industry is now focusing on improving its capability and capacity for international and inland transfer systems and has expanded its transfer business in cooperation with large international shipping lines.

•  Petrochemicals
The Qingdao petrochemical industry involves more than 413 enterprises, including SINOPEC, the Doublestar Group and the Haiwan Group and employs over 122,300 people, with an industrial output reaching 45.7 billion RMB. Due to rapid growth and modernization in this sector, many foreign petrochemical companies have begun to cooperate with Qingdao enterprises in large-scale oil refining projects, such as KP Chemical Corporation, the Rhodia Group and LG Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.

•  Economic Contribution Ratios by Sector
In 2006, the economic contribution ratio of the primary industries, which include agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and the fisheries, represented 5.7% of GDP; the economic contribution ratio of the secondary and value-added industries and construction represented 52.3%; while the economic contribution ratio of the tertiary sector represented 42.0%.

Qingdao's value added industries realized 152.75 RMB billion in revenue for 2006, of which enterprises with foreign investment and/or investment from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan realized 51.67 billion RMB, accounting for about one third of the total amount.

Major Festivals and Events - Qingdao

07 Dec 2008 22:45:28 PST dd

APEC SME Technology Conference and Fair

In June 2004, the Third APEC SME Technology Conference and Fair was held in Qingdao, which attracted nearly 700 domestic and overseas companies and 150,000-plus visitors (including over 6,000 overseas visitors). During the meeting, a total of US$ 109 million-worth export contracts and RMB 267 million- worth domestic trade contracts were signed. A total of 102 foreign investment projects were signed, involving an overall investment of US$ 370 million. The technical exchanges, forums, trade fair and large-scale transnational procurement talks held during the meeting were greatly successful.