BEIJING - China's State Council, the Cabinet, has approved of the establishment of the Qingdao West Coast New Area in East China's Shandong province, a central government statement said on Monday.

The area, aiming to pilot marine technology innovation and serve as a strategic base for deep sea and off-shore exploration, is to play a role in seeking new ways for scientific development of the country's marine economy, the statement said.

The area, in the west coast of Jiaozhou Bay, covers Huangdao district in Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong. The area's land size is 2,096 square kilometers and the sea area is about 5,000 square kilometers.

According to the document, the area will focus on the development of the marine economy and emerging marine industries.

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