The construction of the China National Deep Sea Center in Qingdao will boost the development of marine-related industries, an official said.

The center will provide a new platform for marine research organizations and scientists and lay the foundation for building the deep-sea high-tech industry, said Ren Zhengang, director of the construction office of Qingdao Blue Economic Zone.

Along with the construction of the center, Qingdao plans more than 200 projects, involving a total investment of nearly 540 billion yuan ($87 billion), to set up a high-tech marine industrial chain.

Among the key projects, the city is building the Blue Silicon Valley from Laoshan district to Jimo county to facilitate marine research and deep-sea technology research and development, which will introduce 33 key projects with a total investment of more than 22 billion yuan.

"A series of national bases including the national laboratory and the China National Deep Sea Center are located in Qingdao. The most important aspect in building up national maritime power is to develop science and technology," China Radio International quoted Li Naisheng, deputy director of Shandong's Department of Science and Technology, as saying.

"We have to be in the lead, setting an example for the nation's marine sector," Li said.

Last year, Qingdao's marine economy generated an added value of more than 110 billion yuan, an increase of nearly 20 percent over 2011, according to the city government's statistics.

Wang Qian and Xie Chuanjiao

(China Daily 04/13/2013 page1)