BEIJING - Shandong province plans to invest 30 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) in Qingdao Port to double its throughput capacity to 600 million tons by 2015, according to Chang Dechuan, president of Qingdao Port (Group) Co Ltd.

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The port, currently the world's seventh largest, will play a leading role in the development of the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone, one of three regional ocean economic zones approved by the central government in January as pilot zones for the development of the country's marine economy, Chang, an NPC deputy, said during the two sessions.

"Qingdao Port is currently not big enough to support regional economic development, the transport capacities for mineral, coal and oil especially are not strong," he said.

As the nation's largest iron ore and crude oil port, Qingdao Port has focused on the container sector in recent years, and it is expected to surpass South Korea's Busan Port to become the leading container port in Northeast Asia in one or two years.

Exports from the marine economic zone contributed 78 percent of the total volume of exports in Shandong last year, and attracted 63.5 percent of foreign direct investment in the area.

By constructing a series of new docks and developing a newly approved bonded area, the port is expected to play a more important role in boosting the marine economy in the region.

"Our national economic plan used to focus on the development of land resources," said Fei Yunliang, head of the construction office for the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone.

"We are the first national marine strategy, which shows the new trend for China's economic development."

According to Fei, Shandong is aiming to build up its primary marine industries such as ocean farming, secondary industries such as marine equipment manufacturing and new energy, and tertiary industries such as tourism.

A package of deals valued at 255 billion yuan, including new energy, international logistics, tourism and culture, was signed as part of the new marine economic development strategy in the coastal province last month.

"All development programs are set out according to their local situation and handling capacity," Fei said.

"We will never sacrifice nature for temporary development," he added.

More than half of the national oceanic scientific research programs and many ocean research institutions are located in Qingdao.

"We will bring our scientific research advantages into full play," said Xia Geng, mayor of Qingdao.

In 2011, a national program for studying deep-sea science will be set up in Qingdao, which aims to enhance research capability in developing ocean resources and protecting marine environments.

National marine conservation areas, wetland nature reserves and protected islands will be marked out. Qingdao will also hold the Blue Economic International Forum this year.

"Qingdao will be the model city for a harmonious society between people and the ocean," said Xia.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/14/2011 page3)