On July 11, “Analysis and prediction of Shandong's economic situation------the 2018 Shandong Blue Papers seminar” was held in Ji'nan. The Shandong Academy of Social Sciences(SASS) hosted the seminar. Zhang Shucun, President of SASS, attended the seminar and delivered a speech. Vice president Yuan Hongying chaired the seminar. Experts from Shandong Party Policy Research Office, Shandong Development and Reform Commission, Shandong Economic and Information Technology Committee, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Statistics, Shandong Provincial Tax Service, State Administration of Taxation, The People’s Bank of China and other relevant departments attended the seminar and made key speeches. Editor, deputy editor and writer of the 2018 Shandong Blue Papers from SASS and other more than 40 experts attended the seminar.

The seminar thoroughly studied and implemented the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th Party Congress, seriously implemented the   the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions for Shandong’s work and the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 11th Shandong Province. The seminar conscientiously implemented the deployment of the economic conference in our province. Focusing on the economic situation of our province in the first half of 2018, the experts discussed the key and difficult issues in the current economic development and estimated the economic development situation in the second half of the year. At the same time, the "2018 Shandong Blue Papers" conference was held. "Shandong Blue Papers" is one major project of the innovation project of SASS. It is an important carrier for the construction of our think tank. It has become the authoritative research achievement for analyzing the economic development situation and predicting the annual development trend. It plays an increasingly important role in the economic and social development of Shandong Province. It provides an important decision-making reference for the construction of modern province in new era.

Experts presented in the seminar considered that, in the first half of 2018 our province thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping’s thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in new era and the spirit of the 19th Party Congress, seriously studied the spirit of the important speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping. We actively implemented new development concepts and aimed at high quality development, took supply-side structural reform as the main line, vigorously implemented the major project of new and old kinetic energy conversion. To maintain steady growth; accelerate reform; adjust economic structure; improve people’s living standards and fend off risks. The province's economy is showing a steady development trend. The main economic indicators operate in a reasonable range and the characteristics of restorative growth in the economic cycle are obvious. The project of new and old kinetic energy conversion is in full swing. Marine Power Strategy, Top Ten Industrial Planning, Rural Recovery Strategy, all these policies are inspiring. At the same time, we must also recognize that there are many uncertain factors and potential risks. The development of our province’s economic is in the period of transformation and upgrading. The project of new and old kinetic energy conversion is still in the tough period. The investment situation is not optimistic. The development of the real economy is difficult. Industrial system needs to be reconstructed. The problem of financing is prominent. Uncertainties in the international economic situation still exist, China-US trade war etc. But the favorable factors to support the development of our province's economic are accumulating. The global economy continues to moderately recover. Domestic economic growth is more stable. Significant reform in key areas is remarkable. All of these provide a broader space for our province to accelerate economic transformation.

Experts believed that in the second half of 2018, the overall economic situation in our province will be better than the first half of the year, the economic operation of the whole year is expected to show a "slow start, steady recovery" trend, to achieve the expected goal. Now the economic situation is improving, our province should seize the opportunity to further push forward the supply-side structural reform and promote new and old kinetic energy conversion. Experts at the meeting suggested that we should continue to work hard in the following aspects. First, continue to emancipate the mind and innovate ideas. To study the advanced concepts and practices of Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang and carry forward the spirit of Shandong people who dare to try, dare to be the first, work hard and innovate system with the liberation of ideas and the transformation of ideas, stimulate the vitality of development. Second, fully promote the construction of Shandong comprehensive test area for new and old kinetic energy conversion. This is conducive to solve the problem that Shandong’s economic development is unbalanced and promote Shandong's economic development with high quality. It is beneficial to explore the path model for new and old kinetic energy conversion and lead the transformation and development of northern China. We should full play the role of provincial leaders, combine all the efforts, the think tank support, alliance assistance and fund guarantee. Third, implement the strategy of rural vitalization. We seriously implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on building a model for revitalizing Qilu in rural areas. According to the five-year plan for strategy of rural vitalization, 5 working plans for rural industry, talent, ecology and organization revitalization, and the No. 1 Document of Provincial Committee, we further refine the road map, timetable, and task book for the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, to create a "new business model" for agricultural "new six production" terminal type, experience type, circulation type and wisdom type. Fourth, actively promote the construction of a strong marine province. We should in-depth implement the "Plan for the Construction of Shandong strong marine province", actively create a marine economic demonstration zone, build a modern marine industrial system, form a new pattern of integration and development of land and sea industry, create new advantages in future development and competition. Fifth, create a new high ground for opening to the outside world. We should deeply integrate into the construction of the “Belt and Road”, plan to set up a comprehensive test area for the construction of the “Belt and Road”, build a national-level overseas economic and trade park with high standards and reconstruct a new pattern of foreign trade in our province. We will actively  build a new coastal highland facing Northeast Asian countries, comprehensively deepen economic and trade cooperation with Japan, South Korea, Russia and other countries and broaden the space for development. Sixth, actively promote reforms in key areas and optimize the business environment. We should conscientiously implement the overall plan and top-level design of the Central Committee and promote the reform of key areas and key links in a solid and orderly manner. We will eliminate obstacles to the transformation of new and old kinetic energy and stimulate the vitality of new and old kinetic energy, actively prepare for the conference of optimization of the business environment, solve the most urgent matter of approval of the enterprises and the masses.

In the speech, Zhang Shucun pointed out that this seminar is under the background that we thoroughly studied and implemented the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, seriously implemented the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 11th Shandong Province and serve the high quality development of Shandong. It has positive significance for us to scientifically grasp the current economic situation, future trends and provide scientific decision-making services for the provincial party committee and the provincial government. First, this seminar deeply analyzed and predicted the economic situation and future trends, proposed corresponding strategies and measures, achieved the intended purpose. Second, we should make full use of the research results of this seminar, sort out the experts' brilliant arguments as soon as possible, seriously study the major issues in the construction of a modern province in the new era. Third, we should further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between the SASS and other institutes, form a long-term mechanism. The people attending the meeting today are experts from the province's economic research and decision-making field. Everyone combines their own work, speaks very well about the current economic situation, existing problems and the next steps. Next, we should deepen exchanges and cooperation in major research projects, academic exchanges, etc., form a long-term mechanism, to achieve a blueprint for the high-quality development of our province and the construction of a modern and strong province.

Vice President Yuan Hongying pointed out in the summary that the experts focused on the realities, put forward their insights. These analyses and insights have important value for further promoting the economic and social development of the province. As the think tank of the provincial party committee and the provincial government, we know that our responsibility is great. Our institute will focus on strengthening the following aspects of research. First, we should speed up the research on the reform of "streamline administration; delegate government power; strengthen regulation and improve services”. Second, strengthen the research on reform and innovation of system and mechanism. Third, strengthen the research on major projects in the transformation of new and old kinetic energy. Fourth, carry out a series of researches on the strategy of rural vitalization. Fifth, further promote the research on the construction of strong marine provinces. Sixth, actively carry out the study of a new high ground for opening to the outside world.