The 7th Qingdao Multinationals Summit (QMS) concluded in Qingdao on June 17, 2026, with 57 projects signed totaling $2.56 billion in foreign investment, marking a pivotal step in global cooperation under China's 15th Five-Year Plan. Co-hosted by the Shandong Provincial People's Government and the Ministry of Commerce, the summit ran from June 15 to 17. It attracted 357 multinational corporations from 44 countries and regions, gathering 435 corporate guests. The event underscored China's commitment to high-standard opening-up and industrial integration, themed "Multinationals and China: Navigating the 15th Five-Year Plan Toward Embrace Innovation and Shape the Future Together."

Project Signings and Investment Breakdown

The summit facilitated the signing of 57 projects across various sectors. Foreign-funded projects accounted for 20 initiatives with a total investment of $2.56 billion. Additionally, 9 foreign trade projects were signed, contributing $1.68 billion in total import and export value. Foreign economic cooperation projects reached $44 million. The domestic sector saw 15 modern services projects valued at 6.65 billion yuan and 8 domestic-funded projects at 6.87 billion yuan. Three landmark projects focusing on green low-carbon development, modern commerce, and the digital economy were also signed, involving partners from the Republic of Korea, France, the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and China's Hong Kong SAR.

Corporate Commitments and Expansion

Major multinational corporations announced significant investments and expansions during the summit. Alstom (France), rooted in Qingdao for over 28 years, emphasized the city's strategic advantage in the rail transit sector. Geng Ming, President of Alstom China, stated: "Qingdao possesses clear-cut advantages in meeting the new demands for high-quality development in the rail transit sector during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. We will continue to consolidate Qingdao's pivotal position within Alstom's China footprint."

AstraZeneca (UK) has announced three consecutive capital increases for its Qingdao base since signing agreements at the 2023 Summit. Early in 2026, it unveiled plans to invest over RMB 100 billion in China by 2030. Lin Xiao, General Manager of AstraZeneca China, remarked: "The construction of the Qingdao base is running at an astonishing ‘Acceleration.' This fully validates Qingdao's world-class business environment and formidable execution capabilities."

Weta Workshop (New Zealand) Co-founder and CEO Richard Taylor expressed deep impression with Qingdao's title as the "Oriental Movie Metropolis," noting it aligns perfectly with their business direction. Ibarmia (Spain), established in Qingdao in 2018, affirmed plans to expand investment and build the city into its primary base for the Chinese market.

Strategic Focus and Industrial Integration

The summit prioritized the precise layout of industrial tracks by hosting specialized forums and matchmaking events for the first time. Key sectors included future industries, new energy storage, new energy vehicles, marine technology, smart agriculture, and green chemicals. These initiatives aimed to integrate cutting-edge technologies with the real economy, offering a platform for multinationals to engage in China's development of new quality productive forces.

Summit Participation Overview