Ship-to-shore cranes hover over waiting containers at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

In the face of the evolving trends currently playing out in international trade, Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province is continuing to expand its global trade network.

In the first quarter of 2025, Ningbo's trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) hit 174.24 billion yuan ($23.91 billion), up a whopping 14.7 percent year-on-year.

Exports grew by 21.7 percent to 106.33 billion yuan, while imports rose by 5.2 percent to 67.91 billion yuan.

Beyond traditional markets in Europe and North America, ASEAN nations, South Korea, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Russia have emerged as key trade partners.

Companies like Ningbo Huamao International Trade Co Ltd, which specializes in trading educational equipment, illustrate this growth. Since 2021, it's been filling government procurement orders for ASEAN nations like the Philippines and Thailand, helping to boost their education infrastructure.

Huamao secured a $3-million contract from the Philippine Department of Education during the 137th Canton Fair. Overall, its exports to ASEAN reached $2 million in the first quarter of 2025, up a brisk 15 percent year-on-year.

Ningbo is also fast-tracking efforts to become a hub city for the BRI, linking Chinese manufacturing to global demand. Machinery, electronics and labor-intensive products remain the primary exports to BRI countries – while imports focus on energy and raw materials such as copper, organic chemicals and plastics, all showing significant growth.

E-commerce platforms such as Russian local platform Wildberries and Romania's eMAG are further expanding Ningbo's export opportunities, while social media like TikTok is promoting sales in ASEAN countries.