The province of Shandong will continue efforts to develop city clusters and form polycentric, multi-level, and multi-node urban agglomeration networks as it aims to leverage the role of leading cities and city clusters in driving the overall development of its surrounding areas over the coming five years, said local authorities.

Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Shandong will ramp up efforts to deepen the reform of institutions and mechanisms, stimulate the vitality and momentum of economic development, speed up the implementation of major strategies and enhance the functions of urban agglomeration.

It will focus on improving the overall strength of the Shandong Peninsula city cluster. Targeted measures will be launched to boost scientific and technological innovation, attract more high-caliber talents and enhance international cooperation to make the city cluster a powerhouse in advanced manufacturing, modern service, marine economy and modern agriculture.

Night landscape of urban area in Jinan, capital of Shandong province [Photo/IC]

The province will support Jinan in becoming a national center city, with comprehensive improvement in the capital city's strength in scientific innovation, smart growth, ecological protection, integrated cultural and tourism development and healthcare industry.

Jinan will contribute greatly to the province's efforts of replacing old growth drivers with new ones. The city will take the lead in the development of the Shandong Peninsula city cluster, and set an example for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin, according to Shandong officials.

Shandong will support Qingdao in its bid to become a global marine economy powerhouse.

As Qingdao is the bridgehead of Shandong's opening-up to the world, the city plays a vital role in the integrated development between land and sea and intercity cooperation, according to local authorities.

The coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Measures will be taken to build Qingdao into an international gateway and hub city and an international benchmark city for innovation. The city's role as a pivotal point in the New Eurasian Land Bridge economic corridor as well as in maritime cooperation will be amplified.

The three large city clusters in Shandong, namely the provincial capital economic circle, the Jiaodong Economic Circle and the southern Shandong economic circle will also see rapid development in the coming five years.