People in Qingdao are familiar with the term "multinationals". Since 1984, when the central government made a decision to further expand the opening-up, Qingdao was listed as one of the first 14 coastal cities to be opened to the outside world. Subsequently, a new pattern of Qingdao's opening to the outside world was formed. From then on, Qingdao focuses on its construction of ports and the international business is booming here.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, “Qingdao is a microcosm of China's expanding opening-up. The more open the door, the greater the "capital" of the city will have.” Since reform and opening up 40 years ago, Qingdao has formed a new pattern of all-round opening up in four stages of development. On October 15, 1986, the State Council officially approved that Qingdao can be singled out of the national plan. Since then, Qingdao has the power to engage in import and export trade. At that time, as a newbie to foreign trade, the export products of Qingdao were mainly agricultural and sideline products, handicrafts and primary processed products, with the characteristics of small scale and fast growth.