The national program to develop a world-class oceanic economy in Shandong Peninsula has already greatly benefited the coastal city of Yantai as "marine-related industries are strong forces in boosting the local economy", Wang Liang, mayor of the city, recently told China Daily.

Yantai witnessed robust growth in its marine sectors since development of the Shandong Peninsula Marine Economic Zone became a national strategy in 2011, Wang added.

Last year, the product value generated by the city's marine industry hit 172.7 billion yuan ($27.74 billion), an increase of 16.7 percent from 2011.