The Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Qingdao FTZ) plans to prioritize the development of its shipping, trade, finance, integrated circuits, and gene technology sectors, and strive to become an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia, a core area of an innovative city, and a cluster of future industries this year.

The goals were made in response to Shandong FTZ's plan to deepen reform and enhance opening-up to create a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment by 2025.

Qingdao FTZ also intends to promote the deep integration and innovation of shipping, trade and finance this year, and accelerate the construction of various projects, including a smart supply-chain integrated service platform, a crew dispute mediation center, and an RCEP economic and trade cooperation demonstration park.

The integrated circuit industry, which is one of the top 10 emerging industries in Qingdao, is a strategic, basic and leading industry that supports the city's economic and social development.

The zone plans to speed up the construction of a high-end talent cluster center and professional talent cultivation center for the training and introduction of semiconductor engineering talents and integrated circuit professionals.

Qingdao FTZ also aims to set up a special industry fund to support and attract industrial project clusters related to gene technology, and upgrade the portable gene sequencer and super-flux gene sequencer products to promote the implementation and production of a high-throughput automated sample preparation system.