Ali, an international student at the University of Nottingham-Ningbo, immerses in the customs of Spring Festival. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The 31st China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation recently took place in Ningbo.

Ningbo, a key player since the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area began in 2010, has seen an impressive annual import and export growth of about 10 percent, placing ASEAN among its top three trade partners.

From 2013 to 2024, Ningbo Customs issued over 700,000 certificates of origin for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, with tariff benefits totaling over $29 billion. Last year, Ningbo's imports and exports to ASEAN amounted to 187.69 billion yuan, up 20.7 percent, of which exports amounted to 100.28 billion yuan, up 24.2 percent.

In 2022, the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) reinforced ASEAN's importance. Over the past three years, Ningbo has actively strategized to maintain its leading position. Companies like Zhejiang Seaport (Vietnam) Supply Chain Management Co Ltd have customized solutions for Chinese enterprises to improve the port-line-warehouse logistics network.

Ningbo will participate in the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, highlighting its focus on green and low-carbon trends and aligning its photovoltaic and new energy industries with ASEAN's green transformation needs.

Cultural exchanges are also strengthening connections. In Ningbo's markets, Vietnamese and Chinese culinary traditions merge, and international students from ASEAN countries are a vibrant presence at the University of Nottingham-Ningbo.