This primary industry is expected to be worth 7 billion yuan in added value output by 2015, and 9 billion yuan, by 2020. It is expected to have 100 oceangoing fishing boats, with an annual fishing capacity of 30,000 tons, by 2015.

Qingdao is also looking for a breakthrough in its secondary industries, such as marine biomedicines, shipping equipment, instruments, new marine resources, and marine engineering.

But it is placing equal importance on seawater desalination. Added value output of these secondary industries is expected to reach 46 billion yuan, by 2015, and 88 billion yuan, by 2020.

At the same time, there will be continuous upgrades on tertiary industries, with the focus on harbor logistics, seaside tourism, marine science and education, marine culture and sports, and finance.

Qingdao is looking for added value output for these industries of 62 billion yuan, by 2015, and 123 billion, by 2020. Here, the focus will be on major projects, such as Dongjiakou Harbor and the second phase of Qianwan Bonded Port.

But water sports will not be left out, so that the coastal area can be turned into an international holiday resort.

While making an effort to develop the new economic zone on west Jiaozhou Bay, the city needs to develop modern service industries on the eastern part and increase the blue economic zone's influence.

And it needs to find concrete ways to protect the environment and improve sewage treatment to protect the bay's ecology.

The city also needs to attract more talented people in marine science to come to the blue "Silicon Valley".

These are key factors in the development of a blue economy.

The author is director general of Qingdao's Development and Reform Commission.

By Liu Mingjun (China Daily)

(China Daily 10/31/2011 page24)