The Shandong delegation's open day was held on March 6 during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, attracting 131 journalists from 66 Chinese and international media outlets.

Shandong has become an economic leader, becoming the third province nationwide and the first in northern China to surpass 10 trillion yuan ($145.4 billion) in GDP, reaching 10.3 trillion yuan in 2025 and accounting for 7.4 percent of the national total.

At the event, representatives from the Shandong region highlighted notable achievements. For example, Dezhou's economic output exceeded 400 billion yuan during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25). As a major agricultural city, Dezhou will consistently fulfill its role in food security and contribute to Shandong's rural vitalization model.

Zheng Yueming, deputy to the NPC and chairman of Levima Group, emphasized new materials as a strategic sector with significant opportunities in new energy, artificial intelligence, and biomanufacturing. The company will capitalize on policy opportunities for clustered, high-end development in the future.

Regarding innovation and R&D, Shandong has developed a favorable environment and provided policy support for enterprises. Peng Jixian, chief scientist at Shandong Ruiying Pharmaceutical, praised Shandong's innovation ecosystem. "The province provides robust financial support while boldly breaking institutional bottlenecks, enabling enterprises to invest and breakthrough with confidence," he said.

Over the years, Shandong's railway infrastructure development has led the way in China. Yu Yongsheng, director of the Shandong Transportation Department, revealed that by the end of this year, the province's high-speed railway network will lead nationwide, reaching 4,400 kilometers by 2028 with all cities connected. The province also plans 1.35 trillion yuan in transportation investments over five years.

Looking ahead, Shandong will prioritize consumption growth, expand investment, and stabilize foreign trade, with over one trillion yuan in energy sector investments open to private enterprises.