On May 28, the 12th Shandong Provincial Congress of the Communist Party of China convened in Jinan, Shandong's capital, and delegates from Yantai, a coastal city, exchanged views on how to advance a new pattern of opening-up, industrial transformation and upgrading.

Shandong's real economy is critical to enhancing high-quality development. The province will intensify its efforts to transform itself into a strong advanced manufacturing province while also fostering new growth drivers. According to Yantai delegates, efforts should also be made to support the high-end, intelligent, and green transformation of traditional industries, as well as replacing old growth drivers with new ones.

Li Yonggang, a 12th CPC Shandong Provincial Congress delegate, and Party secretary of Laizhou, a county-level city in Yantai, said that Laizhou has sped up the replacement of old growth drivers, and made breakthroughs in some key industries including new energy resources, and new materials, to embrace high-quality development.

Longkou city will attach great importance to strengthening county economies, and optimizing the regional industrial chain, according to Lyu Bo, a 12th CPC Shandong Provincial Congress delegate, and Party secretary of Longkou in Yantai.

Lyu added that Longkou will enhance its 10 industrial chains including high-end chemical engineering, high-end aluminium materials, automobiles, and spare auto parts. The city will also speed up the digital transformation of local enterprises to foster competitive advantages.

Wang Kewen, a 12th CPC Shandong Provincial Congress delegate, and director of the Yantai Free Port Zone Administration Committee, said that Yantai zone will shoulder its responsibilities to pursue high-quality development, and deepen opening-up.

Delegates also expressed their views on how to follow a path of prioritizing ecological conservation and pursuing green development, as well as exploring ways to further promote ecological conservation.