Qingdao has been ramping up efforts to build a modern international metropolis, said Zhao Haozhi, mayor of Qingdao at a recent news conference.

Qingdao is aiming to become a modern international metropolis. [Photo/VCG]

According to Zhao, Qingdao has reached a new developmental stage, with its GDP being in excess of 1 trillion yuan ($156.2 billion) since 2016. The city, which now has a permanent population of over 10 million, has also expanded its public budget revenue to over 100 billion yuan.

In the first three quarters of this year, Qingdao's GDP hit 1.03 trillion yuan, up 10.7 percent year-on-year, 0.9 percentage points higher than the national average and 0.8 percentage points higher than the provincial average.

The city has been focused on promoting innovation-driven development. Based on its rich marine resources and advantages in scientific research, Qingdao has built eight provincial technological innovation centers and 19 national-level international scientific and technological cooperation bases.

The gross ocean production in Qingdao increased 13.3 percent annually and reached 358 billion yuan in 2020, accounting for 27 percent of the province's total.

The city is now home to 4,400 high-tech enterprises, and is also one of China's top 10 innovative cities.

Qingdao has also strived to support rural revitalization and promote the integrated development of rural and urban areas.

The city has developed some 2,467 square kilometers of high-standard farmland, and its annual grain output has remained at around 3 million metric tons for several years.

To improve infrastructure and public services, rural roads totaling 12,000 kilometers and 1,057 rural community service centers have been constructed.

The city has been applying the new development philosophy to foster a new pattern of development, and promote high-quality development.