The 2026 Shandong–Global Partners Dialogue on Open Cooperation took place in Beijing on Jan 20 under the theme "Join hands with global partners, write new chapters of cooperation".

Shandong unveiled a "ten partner actions" plan for opening-up in 2026, outlining key initiatives to expand high-quality imports, innovate in service trade, upgrade investment promotion, and strengthen global industrial collaboration.

The event gathered more than 380 attendees, including ambassadors to China from Jordan, Singapore, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea, and representatives from over 30 countries and regions, international organizations, multinationals, and business associations.

UK Ambassador Peter Michael Alexander Wilson highlighted that the key priorities of Shandong's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) are highly aligned with the UK's industrial strengths, indicating significant potential for cooperation.

South Korean Ambassador Roh Jae-heon emphasized that Shandong is an important partner, while Dominic Trindade, minister-counselor for Commercial Affairs at the Australian Embassy in China, expressed that Australian companies highly value the Shandong market and investment opportunities.

Additionally, executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, including Veolia and Siemens, shared their vision for deepening cooperation with Shandong. Representatives of Jinan, Qingdao, Weifang, Tai'an, and Dezhou introduced key investment sectors and financial services, highlighting the province's vast opportunities for opening-up and development.

Shandong has consistently upheld the philosophy of expanding openness and pursuing mutual benefit. To date, Shandong has established 702 pairs of sister-city and friendly cooperative relationships with local governments in 106 countries. In 2025, its total import and export volume reached 3.53 trillion yuan ($507.18 billion), a 4.5 percent year-on-year growth.

The 2026 Shandong–Global Partners Dialogue on Open Cooperation held in Beijing gathers over 380 representatives from home and broad for cooperation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A representative from Hengfeng Bank, or Evergrowing Bank, introduces the bank's development and the expansion of its financial services. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]