Science and technology

Shandong is home to the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), the only one of its kind in China, and has established the National Innovation Center of High Speed Train, the country’s first national technology innovation center.

The province boasts 19 national key laboratories, two national key laboratories jointly developed by the province and relevant ministries, and 36 national engineering technology research centers — figures that place Shandong among the top regions in China in terms of scientific research capacity.

In recent years, Shandong's expenditure on research and development has accounted for around 2.46 percent of its GDP. The province has consistently ranked sixth nationwide in terms of regional scientific and technological innovation capability.

The State Council approved the establishment of the National Independent Innovation Demonstration Area of the Shandong Peninsula, and the number of national-level high-tech zones in the province has grown to 13.

Shandong has developed a four-tier agricultural technology park system, spearheaded by the Yellow River Delta Agriculture High-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone — the second agricultural high-tech zone approved at the national level — which now covers all agriculture-related counties, cities, and districts across the province.

The number of high-tech enterprises has exceeded 8,900, and 70 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering are currently working in the province.

Each year, more than 40,000 foreign professionals come to Shandong for work.

The output value of high-tech industries has accounted for about 37 percent of the total value generated by industries above the designated size, and the annual turnover of registered technology contracts has reached approximately 85.7 billion yuan.