China approved a national strategy in Shandong concerining the development of a marine economic zone during 2011-2015 period.

Yantai was at the center of the strategy. Close to the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, Yantai enjoys great geographical advantages. Yantai’s coastal counties take up 33 percent of the province’s total. The city can make use of resources of both the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea to boost local marine economy development.

With a solid industrial foundation, Yantai provides strong support for the fast development of the marine economy. "Yantai covers a sea area of 26,000 square kilometers, which is twice as large as its land area. Yantai has a coastline of 909 kilometers, with its island area accounting for more than 40 percent of the province's total," said Li Jie, deputy director of the Yantai Blue Economic Zone Construction Office.

As a major producer of aquatic products, Yantai boasts abundant land and sea resources, such as gold, brine, coal, oil and natural gas. With the development of the marine economy and port industry in recent years, Yantai has established a solid industrial foundation in various areas including aquaculture, seed rearing, coastal tourism, marine equipment manufacturing, port logistics and new marine energy.

Favorable geographical location, plentiful natural resources, firm industrial foundation and great policy support are all strong boosters for Yantai’s blue economy.