China's Regional Development: Shandong promises new economic pattern for high-quality growth

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Authorities in an eastern-China province say they'll continue to create new growth drivers for the local economy. On Tuesday in Beijing, Shandong province officials briefed the press on the province's economic development and goals. CGTN's Hou Na reports.

Eastern China's Shandong province is home to Confucius widely regarded one of the most influential people that shaped eastern philosophy. Liu Jiayi, Secretary of the provincial committee of the Communist Part of China, highlighted Shandong's progress over the past few decades. Answering questions from CGTN, he said the region needs to use its rich traditional cultural background as a key driver for growth.

LIU JIAYI, SECRETARY PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE OF CPC, SHANDONG PROVINCE "We have established five systematic structures covering education, communication and cultural inheritance. We will continue to use our profound culture as a key messenger to promote Shandong to the world."

The heavily-populated province was home to nearly 100 million people in 2017. Shandong's economy last year was 7.6 trillion yuan, just over 1 trillion U.S. dollars. Its economic mainstays include chemicals, textiles and machinery.

Shandong plays a key role in China's economic reform causes. Experts say if it does well in pushing for economic transformation and realizing the shift from old to new economic drivers, it will offer valuable experiences and confidence for other provinces and regions.

Shandong Governor Gong Zheng admits the urgency of transforming its traditional economic structure and highlighted the importance of environmental protection.

GONG ZHENG, GOVERNOR OF SHANDONG "In the process of industrial upgrading, in 2017 and 2018 we shut down over one-hundred thousand enterprises that were heavy polluters."

Authorities say Shandong plans to complete this round of efforts to replace old economic growth drivers with new ones by 2028 and become a modern province with robust economic strength by 2035. HOU NA, CGTN, BEIJING.