Jining Port becomes the first inland port in northern China to handle over 100 million metric tons of cargo. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_ccfd1293bad8]

Jining in Shandong made significant strides in 2025, showing a balanced development of economic strength and social welfare. The city's gross domestic product grew by 5.8 percent to 612.8 billion yuan ($88.34 billion), with a 10.4 percent rise in manufacturing value-add. Blending ambitious economic targets with enhanced social welfare, Jining is carving a distinct path as a rapidly developing yet livable city.

A key achievement was becoming the first inland port in northern China to handle over 100 million metric tons of cargo, with the cargo throughput of Jining Port reaching 116 million tons in 2025. The city solidified its role as a national logistics hub, with shipping links to over 50 domestic ports.

Industrial growth was marked by developing technological innovation and new quality productive forces in 15 key sectors, including new energy and IT, which grew more than 20 percent. Jining is also embracing future industries like robotics and the low-altitude economy.