At a themed press conference on advancing Jinan’s “Strong Industrial City” strategy, the city’s High-tech Zone—the largest industrial hub in Jinan—announced significant progress in implementing the industrial economy “No. 1 Project.” Serving as the city’s “main engine, main battlefield, and main force,” the zone has spearheaded Jinan’s industrial transformation with remarkable growth momentum.
In the first half of 2025, the High-tech Zone’s industrial output above designated size exceeded 130 billion yuan, with value-added industrial output surging 23.5% year-on-year, far outpacing national and provincial averages. The zone, which hosts one-seventh of Jinan’s major industrial enterprises, contributes over one-quarter of the city’s total industrial output, underscoring its pivotal role in regional development.
Expanding Scale and Strengthening Foundations
Since the launch of the three-year industrial development action plan, the High-tech Zone has added more than 80 billion yuan in output growth, with industrial investment nearing 40 billion yuan. More than 500 industrial projects have been rolled out, including flagship initiatives by BYD Battery and Inovance Technology. Currently, over 200 projects are under construction, such as Qilu Pharmaceutical’s large-scale formulation facility, aimed at boosting both scale and efficiency.
Building a Modern Industrial System
The zone is central to Jinan’s “13+34” industrial chain strategy, anchoring 11 key chains. Three leading clusters—next-generation information technology, intelligent equipment, and biomedicine—are expanding rapidly.
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In information technology, software and hardware are advancing in tandem, with Inspur ranking second globally in server shipments. Integrated circuit production, including automotive chips and high-end substrates, is gaining speed.
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In intelligent equipment, the zone leads the world in mining machinery sales, while new energy equipment spans wind, solar, hydrogen, and storage systems.
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In biomedicine, giants such as Qilu Pharma and Hengrui are driving innovation in drugs, health products, and medical devices. The biopharma industrial park ranks among the nation’s top ten in competitiveness.
Future industries—including quantum information, aerospace intelligence, AI, and gene technology—are also emerging, with breakthroughs such as full-spectrum quantum applications and the establishment of future industry alliances.
Innovation as the Core Driver
The zone has cultivated a robust innovation ecosystem, hosting over 2,500 high-tech enterprises and 3,000 tech-based SMEs, including six unicorns and more than 1,000 gazelle firms. Over 500 provincial-level R&D institutions are active in the zone, while major platforms such as the CAS Jinan Sci-Tech City and National Laboratory Jinan Base are accelerating high-end research.
Breakthroughs in quantum communication, electromagnetic propulsion, and gene editing have earned national recognition, with multiple awards at both provincial and national levels. In 2024 alone, the zone received three National Science and Technology Awards and 18 Shandong Science and Technology Awards.
Driving Intelligent and Green Transformation
The High-tech Zone is building Shandong’s leading demonstration area for digital and smart transformation, with over 50,000 5G base stations, 51 certified “Morning Star” smart factories, and 24 projects recognized in the province’s digital manufacturing showcase.
On the green front, the zone was recently approved as a national-level green industrial park. It has fostered more than 60 certified green factories and eight green supply chain enterprises, with energy efficiency consistently leading national peers.
Looking Ahead
Yang Futao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Executive Deputy Director of the High-tech Zone, emphasized that 2025 marks both the final year of Jinan’s three-year industrial action plan and a critical acceleration phase for the zone’s “third round of entrepreneurship.”
“Our next steps will focus on strengthening industrial chains, accelerating project delivery, and enhancing the business environment,” Yang said. “By fostering world-class clusters, deepening innovation, and advancing digital and green transformation, we aim to remain the vanguard of Jinan’s drive to become a strong industrial city.”