Qingdao was named among the 2024 Influential Chinese Cities on the Maritime Silk Road in China list at the recently concluded 2024 Mayors Exchange Conference on Maritime Silk Road City Influence; other cities in the top ten list include Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Nanjing, Nantong, Changsha, and Yantai.

Qingdao's recognized influence centers on the theme of "Strengthening East-West Synergy to Accelerate Land-Sea Connectivity." According to the list, Qingdao leverages its position within the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) to enhance its role as a key node in the New Eurasia Land Bridge Economic Corridor and a strategic hub for maritime cooperation. These efforts drive the rapid formation of an open, interconnected framework linking East and West, as well as land and sea.

As a key city in the New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor and a strategic hub for maritime cooperation, Qingdao has been actively integrating into China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in recent years. The city has hosted high-profile events, such as the China + Central Asia (C+C5) Industry and Investment Cooperation Forum, and established platforms like the China-SCO Technology Transfer Center to deepen collaboration with BRI countries in energy, agriculture, and maritime sectors. Qingdao's comprehensive "sea-land-air-rail" transport network continues to strengthen its connectivity. Qingdao Port now operates 42 shipping routes to BRI countries, contributing to a total of approximately 200 container routes. Over 3,200 China-Europe freight train trips have been launched, with 31 regular routes connecting 23 countries and 54 cities. Meanwhile, Jiaodong International Airport has expanded its international air cargo network to 14 routes, effectively covering major aviation hubs along the BRI. These developments are accelerating the formation of an open and interconnected framework, fostering synergy between East and West and enhancing integration across land, sea, and air.