A new zone in the west coast of Jiaozhou Bay covering about 2,096 square km of land and 5,000 square km of water, has been designated in east China's Shandong Province to steer the country's marine development, according to Xinhua. The Qingdao West Coast New Area (QWCNA) of Huangdao District in coastal Qingdao aims to pilot innovation in marine technology and serve as a strategic base for deep sea and off-shore exploration. Citing Zhao Yingmin, head of the bureau of science and technology in Huangdao, Xinhua reports that the advanced technology owned by the area will be a trump card. The zone will work with science institutions to create unmanned submersibles to meet pressing demand for deep-sea and off-shore exploration.