The coastal city of Weihai, Shandong province has made great achievements in promoting social and economic development as well as improving people's livelihood during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, local officials said during a news conference held on Sept 26.

Weihai has made great achievements in building a city of happiness, officials said at a news conference held on Sept 26. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yan Jianbo, mayor of Weihai, said that the local government remains committed to the people-centered philosophy of development, and efforts will continue to be made to improve living standards and enhance people's sense of gain, happiness and security.

Yan also introduced the elaboration of specific policies and mechanisms of building a city of happiness for the people over the past five years.

The coastal highway in Weihai [Photo/VCG]

To advance urban renewal as well as improve people's wellbeing, the city has completed the renovation of 170 old residential communities and some old factory areas, as well as transformed a number of large old blocks and villages in the city.

The city has also been promoting the "heartwarming canteens" plan to provide nutritious food to seniors in need. It has opened 47 community canteens in urban areas and 574 dining halls for the elderly in rural areas.

A total of 215 pocket parks have been built in the city to enhance the living environment for people. A pocket park is a green space set aside for recreation purposes.

Weihai boasts picturesque landscapes and vibrant economy. [Photo/VCG]

According to the seventh national census, the city's permanent population is 2.91 million, an increase of 102,000 over the previous census.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the urbanization rate of Weihai increased from 63.2 percent to 70.2 percent, while the city's livable index remained among the best in the country.

Over the past five years, the city has been promoting the transformation of old growth drivers into new ones. It has focused on fostering seven industrial clusters, including new-generation information technology, new medicine and medical equipment, advanced equipment and intelligent manufacturing, composite materials, marine biology and health food, fashion and leisure sports, and health tourism, to fuel high-quality development.

The Weihai Torch Hi-Tech Science Park [Photo/IC]

The city has given full play to its advantages as a bridgehead for Japan, South Korea and Northeast Asia so that it can become a beacon for opening-up and contribute to China's new "dual circulation" development paradigm.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's foreign trade grew 15 percent year-on-year in 2020. It also grew 30.5 percent in the first eight months of the year.

Over the past five years, Weihai has welcomed the arrivals of HP, Jabil and other world top 500 enterprises to its business sector. The number of foreign-invested enterprises in Weihai has also increased from 1,292 to 1,673, the third highest in the province.