With a coastline stretching 3,505 kilometers, Shandong has positioned itself as a strategic maritime province. By integrating land and sea development, the province has made significant strides in advancing its marine economy.

In recent years, Shandong has prioritized the development of its marine economy as a key driver of its high-quality development. The province has been actively promoting the transformation and upgrading of traditional marine industries, fostering the growth of emerging industries, and building a globally competitive modern marine industrial system. In 2023, Shandong's marine GDP exceeded 1.7 trillion yuan ($230 billion), ranking second in China.

Leveraging its strong marine scientific research capabilities, Shandong is at the forefront of technological innovation. The province boasts 50 marine research institutions and innovation platforms, 236 provincial-level marine technology platforms, and over 1,000 marine high-tech enterprises. By implementing major scientific and technological innovation projects, the province has made significant breakthroughs in areas such as offshore launches, deep-sea exploration, intelligent equipment, and biobreeding.

Shandong's maritime port infrastructure has also experienced substantial growth. Ports serve as powerful engines for marine economic development. In 2023, the total cargo throughput of Shandong's coastal ports reached 1.97 billion metric tons. To date, the province has opened a total of 260 foreign trade routes connecting to over 180 countries and regions.

Shandong is committed to environmental conservation and sustainable development. By balancing development and protection, the province has achieved a harmonious coexistence between a beautiful marine environment and high-quality economic growth. In 2024, the proportion of excellent water quality in the province's coastal waters reached 93.6 percent, ranking among the top three in China for the second year in a row. Shandong has also established four national-level beautiful bays and 33 national and provincial marine nature reserves.