Weifang gears up for marine industry expansion

Weifang, Shandong province, is becoming a bigger player in the marine industry, with 27 specialized business parks already in place. In the past year, the city generated an impressive 254.46 billion yuan ($34.5 billion) in revenue from its marine sector, marking a significant step in its broader strategy to concentrate industries and promote cluster development.

Solar panels near the Changyi county, Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

To sustain and accelerate this momentum, Weifang has outlined ambitious plans to establish five provincial-level marine industry clusters by 2030. Focusing on emerging fields like marine space exploration and artificial intelligence, these clusters aim to place Weifang at the cusp of marine industry innovation.

To drive further industrial growth, Weifang is attracting leading enterprises while fostering supply chain integration to create a more connected and competitive business landscape. The city is also strengthening its support for marine high-tech enterprises and small and medium-sized tech companies, reinforcing its position as a hub for innovation.

Further bolstering this transformation, Weifang is fostering stronger ties between industry and academia by helping found universities and research institutes within its industrial parks, ensuring scientific advancements translate into real-world applications.

Sustainability remains central to this development. The city is working to optimize its energy structure, limit the entry of high-pollution enterprises, and create a resource recycling system that promotes green, low-carbon development.

By prioritizing marine industrialization, innovation, and sustainability, Weifang is solidifying its role as a key player in Shandong's economy and as a contributor to China's broader modernization and green growth ambitions.