Qingdao made remarkable progress in science and technology. In 2004, a total of 490 key research achievements were made; eight national awards and 74 provincial awards were granted. The commercialization of scientific and technological results was active. A total of 1,362 contracts on technology were signed in the year, with a total transaction price of 410 million yuan. As many as 3,036 patent applications have been submitted, 1,973 of which were approved in 2004.

The educational sector experienced steady development. In Qingdao, there were 28 colleges and universities with a total of 184,000 students, 414 middle schools with 436,100 students, 83 secondary technical schools with 162,700 students and 1,037 primary schools with 476,900 pupils. The enrollment rate for junior middle school students has remained no less than 99 percent.