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.