Qingdao tops the list of China's "happiest cities" according to research released in August by the Hong Kong-based consultancy China Institute of City Competitiveness.

With the highest overall score of 95, the ranking demonstrates Qingdao has made a dramatic leap in evolving into a modern international city with a high living standard for residents, said a local official.

"Time and again, this goal weighs heaviest and most important during research and discussions on government strategy ," said Li Qun, Party chief of Qingdao.