The eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province has been included among the first batch of 22 innovation pilot cities (industrial parks) approved by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).

The urban landscape of Qingdao [Photo/WeChat account: qdfbwx]

With support from the CAST, Qingdao will work to build a service center for science and technology think tanks, a platform for academic exchange in the field of high-end international science and technology, a platform for overseas innovation and entrepreneurship, and a platform for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.

One local official said that the city will strive to host a number of high-end science and technology exhibitions and develop industrial technology research institutes to facilitate the innovation-driven development of Qingdao.