A symposium was held to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the establishment of Qingdao West Coast New Area on June 19, which reviewed and summarized the remarkable achievements made in various economic and social undertakings since the establishment of the new area, looked forward to the bright future, and commended people who had made outstanding contributions to the development of the new area. A total of more than 500 representatives from all walks of life attended the symposium.

Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao attended and delivered an important speech at the symposium. Wang Jianxiang, secretary of Party working committee of Qingdao West Coast New Area briefed the work of the new area in the past five years. Zhou An, director of the management committee and head of the new area presided over the symposium.

In the past five years, vigorously carrying forward the pioneering spirit, Qingdao West Coast New Area has made steady development and realized fruitful results in economic development, major strategies, reform and opening up, functional zone development, urban construction, improvement of people's livelihood and party building.

In 2018, the GDP of the new area reached 351.7 billion yuan, with an annual growth rate of 10.9 percent; general public budget revenue amounted to 26.27 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 10.5 percent, of which the tax revenue accounted for 83 percent; the output value of strategic emerging industries grew by an annual average of 20 percent, and the proportion of the tertiary industry in GDP rose to 53 percent. Its comprehensive strength ranks among the top three of the 19 national level new areas.

The new area has made full progress in carrying out major deployment including the maritime development strategy, transition to new growth drivers from old ones and rural revitalization. Gross ocean production has doubled from 49.1 billion yuan to 118.2 billion yuan, an annual increase of 19 percent. Ten key projects regarding the transition to new growth drivers from old ones have been launched, as well as 77 headquarters projects and over 200 financial institutions have been introduced. The new area strives to build "five vitality sources" such as the modern agriculture demonstration area and Zangmashan tourism resort, takes the lead in the construction of 12 characteristic towns and the building of "new area model" for rural revitalization and poverty alleviation.

Fifty-one key district-level reforms have been carried out; 54 reforms were included in national, provincial or municipal pilot programs; experience of 15 innovations has been promoted nationwide. The new area has established cooperative relations with nearly 100 foreign schools, friendly ties with one city, friendly and cooperative ties with five cities. 208 non-financial overseas projects have been launched in 48 countries and regions, with a total investment of $6.6 billion.

Large functional zones compete for development in Qingdao West Coast New Area. Qingdao High-tech zone was approved as the only intelligent industrial park demonstration pilot in east China; five national pilot policies including international transfer were launched in Qianwan Free Trade Port Zone; Dongjiakou Economic Zone was approved to build first-class national open port; the international economic cooperation zone has developed into an international ecological new city in the north of the west coast.

The city changes with each passing day. The overall development plan of the west coast was approved by the provincial government. The built-up area covers 286 square kilometers, with an urbanization rate of 77.2 percent. More than 2,000 infrastructure and public welfare projects have been implemented. A total of more than 160 billion yuan has been invested in infrastructure.

People's well-being has been significantly improved. In the past five years, 195 schools and kindergartens have been built or expanded. The operation mode of "health service community" medical system came into service, and 18 hospitals were introduced and constructed. A total of 700,000 new jobs have been created, and the per capita disposable income reached 43,000 yuan last year. The cultural industry gathered at an accelerated pace, with its main business revenue exceeding 100 billion yuan. More than 80 cultural venues of various kinds were built.

Party building was strengthened across the board. The theory learning group of the new area's working committee was awarded as advanced group of the province. A three-in-one working mechanism featuring positive incentives was set up. And the new area took the lead in establishing an inspection system of party building in China.

The new look of Qingdao West Coast New Area

Qingdao West Coast New Area