Jining, in Shandong, known as the hometown of Confucius and the capital of the Grand Canal, is powering towards the trillion yuan ($145.47 billion) mark in GDP by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30), transforming its inland waterway advantages into high-quality development momentum.

In 2025, Jining Port's cargo throughput exceeded 116 million metric tons, a 20 percent year-on-year increase, making it the first inland port in northern China to handle over 100 million tons, said Wen Jinrong, secretary of the Communist Party of China Jining Municipal Committee and a deputy to the National People's Congress, in a recent interview.

A key driver is the city's pioneering green shipping industry. In June 2025, construction began on the first pure electric inland container vessel built by Jining Energy Xinneng Shipbuilding for French shipping giant CMA CGM, marking a historic export of China-made green vessels, Wen added. Jining is now home to the nation's first inland new-energy vessel manufacturing base.

Through a "top tier enterprises+university+research institute" model, the city has developed a complete industry value chain for green ships. Production efficiency has surged by 172 percent, while operating costs have dropped by around 30 percent compared to traditional diesel vessels. The city is advancing its port-industry-city integration model, with projects like Liangshan Port and Longgong Port driving the development of multibillion-yuan industrial parks.

Jining has set three main targets: to be a strong industrial city, a northern inland shipping hub, and a world-renowned cultural tourism destination. In pursuit of these goals, the city will continue to solidify its path towards the trillion yuan milestone.

Jining, in Shandong, known as the hometown of Confucius and the capital of the Grand Canal, is powering towards the trillion yuan mark in GDP by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30). [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong Walk]