Qingdao boasts a vibrant economy in Shandong province. [Photo/VCG] 

Qingdao, an eastern coastal city in Shandong province, is working to promote the high-quality development of its advanced manufacturing sector with scientific and technological innovation, said local officials.

According to the Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the city is revving up efforts to seize the opportunities presented by the latest scientific and technological innovations to drive industrial transformation, promote the deep integration of innovation and industrial chains, accelerate the shaping of new strengths in scientific and technological self-reliance, as well as to promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing.

This year, the city will make every effort to build Laoshan Laboratory into a competitive supporting platform in developing the marine economy, build the laboratory's achievement transformation base, speed up breakthroughs in key and core technologies, and support the development of emerging industries, such as big data, biological resources development, as well as high-end marine intelligent equipment.

Qingdao will leverage the leading role of the national center for high-speed train technology innovation, as well as tackle key technologies, such as next-generation lightweight trains and rail transit carrying equipment, to bring "Made in Qingdao" to the world.

It will strive to establish a group of national key laboratories, provincial key laboratories, provincial technology innovation centers, and over 10 new municipal key laboratories in an effort to drive the high-quality development of industrial chains with high-level innovation platforms.

Enterprises play a major role in scientific and technological innovation and are key players in the advanced manufacturing industry. This year, Qingdao plans to boost support for high-tech manufacturing enterprises in research and development input, as well as financing environment improvement to lower production costs and alleviate existing burdens on enterprises. The number of high-tech enterprises in the city is expected to exceed 7,300 by the end of this year.