??? PLANNING and construction of the Sino-German Ecological Park is going steadily. As a platform for cooperation between China and Europe, the park will introduce not only advanced technology and ecological concepts, but also a German-style equestrian club and farm. “Qingdao has a long history of cooperation with Germany, so the park will become an important platform for further cooperation,” said an official from the city’s industry and commerce bureau. The equestrian club and German farm will start construction this year. Advanced technology and concepts from other developed countries and regions will also be introduced, he said. Twenty-four projects are under discussion, including a smart grid and electric automobile research and development base, a high-end industrial park by Futian Automobile and a U valley project. These projects will start construction this year. The other 20 projects are in areas such as intellectual resources, green construction materials, green finance and advanced manufacturing industry. According to the plan, the park will focus on starting the construction of a “happy community” project, the founding of a Sino-German company, the construction of an experiencing operation center, the construction of roads and pipe networks, the construction of factories and the equestrian club and the farm. In 2013, the community will be in use, while construction of the center, business incubator, factories, primary school and other facilities will be completed. In the meantime, about 20 companies will open in the park. The park will be completed in 2014.(Wang Yuanyuan, Shen Junlin) | 