No 3 Shandong
GDP: 7.11 trillion yuan
Growth rate: 5.5%
Wusi Square in Qingdao, a coastal city renowned for its scenery and beer. [Photo/Xinhua]
Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius and China's biggest exporter of agricultural products, is an important province in terms of culture and economy on the east coast of China. It is also a significant strategic fulcrum for the countries and regions along the New Eurasian Continental Bridge Economic Corridor and the Maritime Silk Road.