Shandong Province, official abbreviation Lu, sits on the lower reaches of the Yellow River and the coast of eastern China with Jinan as its capital. Shandong is in the Bohai Rim Economic Circle, connects the vast inland China with the vast West Pacific Ocean, faces Japan and the ROK across the sea, and serves as a gateway to the New Eurasian Land Bridge and an important junction of the Belt and Road. The province has a population of 100.4724 million, covers a land area of 157,900 square kilometers and an adjacent sea area of 159,500 square kilometers. Its coastline stretches 3,345 kilometers, accounting for 1/6 of China’s total. It has jurisdiction over 16 prefecture-level cities and 137 counties, county-level cities or districts.

Shandong boasts a time-honored history and rich culture. It is an important cradle of the Chinese civilization and the birthplace of the Confucian culture, thus enjoying the name of the Hometown of Confucius and Mencius and the State of Proprieties and Ceremonies. A galaxy of thinkers, statesmen, military strategists and scientists, such as Confucius, Mencius, Sunzi and Mozi, were born here.

Shandong, as an economic powerhouse on the coast of eastern China, enjoys great economic strength. The GDP of the province stood at 7.65 trillion RMB yuan in 2018, ranking third in China. Shandong is China’s crucial agricultural production and export base, and also an important base for energy and raw material industries. At present, the province has formed high-end chemicals, modern and high-efficiency agriculture, culture and creativity, quality tourism, modern financial services, and other advantageous industries.