Shinan rides wave of success as it attracts growing investments
Shinan, the southern district of Qingdao city, has become a new hub of corporate headquarters in China, as 12 companies have set up their regional headquarters in the district this year, bringing the total to 129. The local government is stepping up efforts to upgrade the city’s facilities and service industry to attract even more investments.
By the end of this year, Shinan will have 13 commercial zones, accounting for 70 percent of the total number in the city.
Qingdao Center, with a commercial area of 45,000 square meters, includes office buildings and a new shopping mall that opened on Dec 21.
Hainan Airlines Group is building a cluster of luxury shopping centers and office buildings covering a total area of 38,000 sq m, called the Qingdao HNA Wanbang Center. It is due to be completed in the middle of next year.
The local government has also been conducting promotional campaigns around the world to lure more companies to the district.
Conferences on the investment environment in Shinan have been held in Freiburg, Germany, and Inchon in South Korea. Teams have also been sent to visit large companies in Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Beijing and Hong Kong.
The local government has always put the high-end service industry on top of its agenda, and the financial services industry has been the most important one, local officials say. The district is now home to more than 150 financial institutions of all kinds, accounting for 83 percent of the total in the city.
It also boasts a well-developed sea transport system and logistics industry.
As a major seaport, Qingdao has mapped out a goal of building itself into a world- class shipping service center in Northeast Asia.
For Shinan, the goal is to bring 10 top shipping companies with global influence and 20 large shipping service companies to the district by 2016, and the infrastructure is being upgraded to meet the goal.
Shinan also leads other districts in Qingdao in terms of marine science and technology development.
Two of the top universities in the city are located in the district, as well as many marine science and technology research centers.
There are also 29 high-tech marine technology companies in the district, accounting for about 80 percent of those in the city.
With its magnificent coastal scenery, Shinan is also rich in tourism resources, and the district is also known for being a yachting center and port of call for cruise liners.