With renewed ambition, Qingdao, the coastal jewel of East China's Shandong province, is stepping up its role as a vital bridge that fosters international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding.

At the Global Mayors Dialogue · Qingdao event on Saturday, Ren Gang, mayor of Qingdao, described the event as an excellent platform to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendships, and promote cooperation and development.

"Through this event, more foreign friends are gaining a deeper understanding of China, a nation rooted in ancient traditions, full of vitality and undergoing profound changes," he said.

The event was attended by mayors from countries including Japan, South Korea, Greece, and Cambodia. The dialogue highlights included marine tourism, revitalizing historic districts through cultural tourism, and developing international tourism to promote people-to-people exchanges.

Qingdao is defined by the sea. Recognized by China as a pivotal coastal hub and a modern marine city, it shoulders national strategic significance and local responsibility.

The city highlighted its strengths in the blue marine economy at Saturday's event. It is home to one-third of China's marine academicians, about half of its marine research and development platforms, and 50 percent of its marine-related scientific achievements. The Qingdao Port of Shandong Port Group handled 710 million metric tons of cargo in 2024, ranking fourth globally. It ranked fifth in terms of container volume, with 30.78 million TEUs.