Yantai Huang-bohai Sea New Area (Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area) Overview
Yantai Huang-bohai Sea New Area is one of the four provincial-level new areas in Shandong Province. It was officially approved on December 28, 2021. Located at the junction of the Jiaodong Peninsula and the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, it covers a land area of 499.45 square kilometers and a sea area of 948.68 square kilometers.
It is endowed with multiple national strategies, including the national-level economic and technological development zone, pilot free trade zone, comprehensive bonded zone, and China-Korea Industrial Park. The new area is committed to building a high-level opening-up strategic hub for Northeast Asia, a demonstration zone for a strong marine province, and a national high-end equipment manufacturing base.
As the main body of the New Area, Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area was established in October 1984 with the approval of China's State Council. It is one of the first 14 national-level development zones in China. It administers 3 subdistricts and 1 town, with a permanent population of 464,000.
It has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a Demonstration Zone for Environmental Management in Chinese Industrial Parks. It has also been awarded honors including one of the first national circular economy pilot units, a national new-type industrialization demonstration base, and a UN Green Industrial Park.
In recent years, Yantai Huang-bohai Sea New Area (Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area) has fully implemented the "11235" development strategy. The district aims to excel among national-level development zones and take the lead in Yantai City. It is committed to achieving pioneering demonstration and delivering satisfactory outcomes for the people, focusing on three priorities: industrial development, urban construction, and social governance. It also strengthens five key areas of support: reform and opening-up, investment and talent attraction, business environment, risk prevention and control, and public welfare. The district is accelerating the development of a regional modern industrial cluster, a pioneering innovation hub, a pilot zone for opening-up and cooperation, and a demonstration area for a high-quality livable city, striving to build a modern coastal new city featuring green, low-carbon, and high-quality development.
The industrial structure has been continuously optimized. The district is now home to 76,000 market entities, including more than 520 industrial enterprises above designated size, over 800 high-tech enterprises, and 14 listed companies. Three pillar industries have been established: high-end chemicals and new materials, automotive and high-end equipment manufacturing, and next-generation information technology. The district is accelerating the development of three emerging pillar industries: pharmaceutical manufacturing, new energy storage, and specialty semiconductors. It is also strategically laying out four future industries: deep-sea and aerospace, artificial intelligence, hydrogen and cold energy, and bio-manufacturing. Meanwhile, the service sector is being vigorously developed to promote the deep integration and coordinated development of advanced manufacturing and modern services.
Innovation-driven development has been upgraded rapidly. The district hosts more than 40 major scientific and technological innovation platforms, including the National Innovation Center for Micro-Nano Manufacturing, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing, China-Japan-Korea Innovation Cooperation Center, and Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University. More than 20 sci-tech incubation carriers have been established, such as Bajiao Bay International Science and Technology Innovation Center, Optoelectronic Sensing Industrial Park, and Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park. The total number of talents in the district has exceeded 230,000.
Infrastructure and social undertakings have been promoted in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. A three-dimensional transportation network integrating land, sea, air, and rail is taking shape rapidly. Key functional zones such as Bajiao Bay Science and Education Innovation Zone, Yantai Chemical Industrial Park, and High-Speed Rail West Station Industry-City Integration Demonstration Zone have witnessed sound development. Urban renewal has been carried out in depth, and people's well-being has been continuously enhanced.
The region has maintained a steady and positive momentum in economic and social development. In 2025, its GDP, value-added industrial output above designated size, and total retail sales of consumer goods rose by 5.5%, 5.5%, and 9% respectively. Foreign capital actually utilized and foreign trade import and export volume increased by 6.1% and 5.5% respectively.