The fully automated container terminal at Qingdao Port of Shandong Port Group is the first of its kind in Asia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong is building a pilot zone for green, low-carbon and high-quality development in response to the national call.

The Shandong provincial government issued a mobilization order for the pilot zone in November 2022. Earlier this year, they announced a three-year action plan for its construction.

The action plan offers clear guidance for the establishment of the pilot zone, covering its ideology, goals and key tasks. It also delineates responsibilities, policies and projects, providing a roadmap for the construction process.

In the first half of this year, 13 out of the 249 policy measures listed in the three-year action plan were completed, while progress is being made on another 105, and 131 measures are currently being promoted.

Shandong's GDP grew by 6.2 percent in the first half of this year, 0.7 percentage points higher than the national average. The pilot zone is expected to strengthen the region's economic development.

The construction of the pilot zone is being greatly supported by major projects. Shandong province has been prioritizing high-quality projects that promote green, low-carbon and high-quality development. These projects focus on innovation, key industries, infrastructure and energy. So far, 3,186 projects have been selected to support the pilot zone, with a total investment of 8.45 trillion yuan ($1.16 trillion).

The integration of industrialization and digitization is a strategic direction for the pilot zone. Shandong has created a national industrial internet development demonstration zone, ranking first in the country in terms of the number of national-level platforms. It has also achieved high levels of integration and digitization in industries.

The construction of the pilot zone adheres to the principles of ecological protection and green development. Shandong is promoting a comprehensive transition to a green economy through measures such as reducing carbon emissions, curbing pollution and promoting sustainable growth.