Blue Silicon Valley

Aiming to be the nation's center of oceanographic research and commercialization of related technologies, Qingdao is stepping up efforts to develop a new urban area across 576 sq km in the north of city called Blue Silicon Valley.

"We must have a global vision when formulating strategies in every stage of developing the valley," said Li Qun, Party chief of Qingdao.

Last year, 70 projects in the valley with a combined investment value of 40 billion yuan ($6.55 billion) started construction or were planned.