An alliance aimed at coordinating innovation efforts among enterprises, universities, and research institutes in the marine sector was officially launched in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Dec 10.

According to its initiators, the alliance will focus on integrating scientific and technological advancements with industrial innovation, transforming research outcomes into practical applications.

Meng Qingsheng, head of the Qingdao Municipal Marine Development Bureau, said that the alliance includes enterprises, academic institutions, research organizations, and service providers in science, finance, and law from eight marine-related marine sectors in Qingdao. It also involves strategic partners from other cities, forming a voluntary, nonprofit collaborative network.

An alliance aimed at coordinating innovation efforts among enterprises, universities, and research institutes in the marine sector is officially launched in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Dec 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Meng Qinglei, deputy director of the Marine Strategic Planning and Economics Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, highlighted the alliance's potential to leverage Qingdao's marine research strengths, develop core marine technologies, and boost the innovation capacity of the modern marine industry.

During the launch ceremony, Qingdao Ocean Development Group Co Ltd was officially unveiled. Led by Qingdao Conson Development (Group) Co Ltd, the new group aims to integrate resources, foster industry development, and promote scientific and technological innovation as well as industrial collaboration.

The unveiled group's development plan focuses on modern marine fisheries and marine pharmaceuticals as its pillar industries, with ambitions to expand into marine equipment and new materials. Its innovation capabilities will be supported by the Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao and the China Marine Engineering Research Institute (Qingdao).