Driver for a leading marine economy

A 443-square-kilometer swathe of land to the north of Laoshan Mountain and its adjacent seas will soon evolve into the eco-friendly Blue Silicon Valley Core Area, which will provide continuous support for the overall development of Shandong's blue economic zone.

Covering two traditional administrative units, Aoshanwei and Wenquanzhen in Jimo county, the core area accounts for 77 percent of the total area of Blue Silicon Valley. It comprises a land area of 218 sq km and sea area of 225 sq km, 100 percent of the Blue Silicon Valley's sea area.

"The Blue Silicon Valley core area is the most central point of the Blue Silicon Valley, and it will drive the development of a marine economy," said Li Qun, Qingdao Party chief and member of the standing committee of the Shandong Party committee.