Yantai, a coastal city in East China, has set ambitious development targets for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), focusing on the marine economy, further opening-up and industrial upgrading, according to Zhang Mingkang, the city's mayor. 

As a major marine economy hub in China, Yantai's gross marine product exceeded 300 billion yuan ($43.56 billion) in 2025. The city said it plans to place the marine economy at the heart of its development push over the next five years. 

More efforts will be made to advance port-industry-city integration while expanding shipping and logistics services, and moving toward becoming an international shipping hub.

Yantai will step up the upgrading of modern fisheries, strengthen shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment manufacturing, and foster emerging sectors such as the marine energy and deep-sea industries. 

By the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Yantai aims to increase its marine gross domestic product to over 400 billion yuan. 

Building on this momentum, the city will further expand high-level opening-up by improving connectivity and developing a more efficient global logistics network. 

Platforms such as the Yantai Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Yantai Comprehensive Bonded Zone will be better leveraged to boost digital trade, green trade and cross-border e-commerce, the mayor said. 

Situated at 37 degrees north latitude, Yantai boasts a natural environment that is favorable for growing grapes and producing wines. The city now ranks top among China's major wine-producing regions. 

Yantai plans to strengthen its wine branding and develop its wine tourism industry, to build an internationally recognized destination for wine culture, said Zhang.