Licang district, a traditional industrial hub of Qingdao, Shandong province, showcased its strength in modern manufacturing at a recent event.

The 2019 Qingdao Industrial Design Week, themed "Industrial Design Helps the High-Quality Development of the Manufacturing Industry", was held in Licang district of Qingdao from Oct 29 to Nov 5.

The event aimed to accelerate integration of industrial design with advanced manufacturing, and to show the public that the region admires design, respects talent and encourages innovation.

About 200 attendees from the local government, companies, design institutes, colleges and media took part in the event.

At a promotional event for Licang during the design week, major companies in industrial design impressed the audience with their stylish, innovative and advanced products, which covered fields such as artificial intelligence, digital design, electromechanical science, integrated circuit, new nanometer materials and marine monitoring.

The event showcased Licang's achievements in modern manufacturing and the creative industry as well as its role in boosting upgrading of locally made products.

Industrial design is regarded an indicator of a region's capability to innovate in modern manufacturing. It is also a key aspect in promoting supply-side structural reform of the secondary industry.

Licang, a cradle for modern industrial civilization of Qingdao, experienced times when the manufacturing industry was moved out of the region. It now shoulders the responsibility to rebuild a cluster for local manufacturing with the aim of boosting industrial upgrade and driving the local economy, according to the Licang development and reform bureau.

The district is making progress in reform and innovation. It has attracted many design companies and projects in recent years. It will continue to support talent, knowledge and creation related to the real economy, as well as support commercialization of technological achievements.

Xia Zhengqi, deputy secretary-general of Qingdao, said the city is promoting high-end manufacturing and artificial intelligence. And the effort to accelerate high-quality development of the manufacturing industry and develop industrial design plays an important role in driving innovation, supply-side structural reform and industrial upgrading.

The design week is an open platform for designers and companies to show off their advantages and find business partners. The event included forums, exhibitions, product releases, business matching and discussions.

More than 200 award-winning works of industrial design, including winners of China's Red Star Design Award and local competitions were on display, to popularize the knowledge and cutting-edge trends of the segment.

Visitors are drawn to the 2019 Qingdao Industrial Design Week held in Shandong province, to learn the trends of modern industry. The event, held from Oct 29 to Nov 5 in Licang district of Qingdao, is an open platform for designers and companies to show off their advantages and find business partners. Photos by Ding Zhi and provided to China Daily

From left: An official from Licang district of Qingdao introduces the district's industrial history and advantages. Modern industrial products are displayed during the recent 2019 Qingdao Industrial Design Week.

Products with stylish, innovative and advanced industrial design are displayed during the 2019 Qingdao Industrial Design Week. The event aims to accelerate integration of industrial design with advanced manufacturing. Provided to China Daily