"When the bull market arrives, everyone becomes a stock market guru." As Xiaomi's "Lei Bus" once said, "When you're riding the wind, even a pig can fly."

Whether for individuals, businesses, or cities, riding the wind and capitalizing on momentum is certainly both fast and effortless.

But there is one city in China that not only “goes against the grain” but is also beginning to show its true potential at this very moment. It’s like the “class genius”—seemingly unconcerned with studying, yet capable of achieving astonishingly high test scores.

That city is Ningbo.

Many describe Ningbo’s style of “long-term dedication and low-key perseverance” as that of a “sweeping monk.”

But Ningbo possesses not only the resilience of a “sweeping monk,” but also the boldness of “Sun Wukong” and the determination of “Xuan Zang.”

Sun Wukong

A traveler without borders, riding the wind and braving the waves

Three high-profile charter flight initiatives have cemented Ningbo’s image as a fearless and bold “Monkey King” on a quest for enlightenment, much like the character in Journey to the West.

In July 2022, 36 representatives from Ningbo’s foreign trade enterprises, along with a Ningbo business delegation, traveled to European countries such as Hungary and Italy. This marked the nation’s first chartered flight specifically for foreign trade personnel.

However, this was not the first time the Ningbo government had helped enterprises “go global.” As early as 2000, 50 enterprises from Xidian Town, Ninghai County, Ningbo—comprising a total of 120 farmer-entrepreneurs—made history by chartering their first flight to attend the Canton Fair.

These two chartered flights served different purposes: one to help “peasant entrepreneurs” expand overseas, and the other to assist foreign trade enterprises in securing and stabilizing orders.

It is evident that the Ningbo government has spared no effort or expense in promoting foreign trade and supporting enterprises. While many regions admire Ningbo’s boldness, they are also wary of the high costs involved; however, judging by the results, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

A number of provincial “hidden champions” in the making, such as Ningbo Fengya Electric and Ningbo Baiyi Electric, all made their “debut” at the Canton Fair on that chartered flight in 2000.

Today, 22 years later, due to the pandemic, overseas business negotiations by China’s foreign trade enterprises have essentially ground to a halt.

In June, to help foreign trade enterprises secure orders and bring “Eastern European beef” to the dining tables of Ningbo residents, the government began arranging chartered flights and establishing flight routes.

Entrepreneurs who traveled on chartered flights to countries such as Denmark and Switzerland returned with full hands. With sincere dedication, they retained existing clients and won over new ones. One entrepreneur, who hadn’t met with clients for three years, secured orders worth over 10 million euros in just a little over ten days.

“Going global” is merely the first step in expanding foreign trade markets; Ningbo’s measures to stabilize foreign trade continue to evolve. For instance, the city supports enterprises in participating in trade shows through “proxy exhibition” arrangements to open up international markets.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a win-win.

Ningbo’s viral charter flight initiative not only helps businesses go global but also attracts talent to the city.

In February 2020, 115 migrant workers from Qianxinan Prefecture in Guizhou Province returned to Ningbo on a China Eastern Airlines flight. This was Ningbo’s first chartered flight specifically organized to bring workers back to their jobs.

While many cities were still “barricading” their city gates to fight the pandemic, Ningbo managed to turn the charter flight proposal into reality in just three days. This bold initiative has earned the respect of other cities.

The essence of Ningbo’s chartered flights shares a striking resemblance to the “Monkey King”: undaunted by hardships, it battles demons and evil spirits along the way. Though it faces 81 trials and tribulations, it ultimately succeeds in obtaining the sacred scriptures.

Ningbo Exclusive Project Resource Group – Add Group Admin

Sweeping Monk

Dedicated and Expert, Going Deep and Detailed

The Sweeping Monk, a character from Jin Yong’s *The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, is an anonymous old monk at the Shaolin Temple tasked with sweeping the Scripture Hall. His martial arts skills are unfathomable yet hidden from view—an image that encapsulates the unique standing of Ningbo’s enterprises and manufacturing sector.

• One in every three Android phones worldwide features an optical lens from Sunny Optical;
• 40% of the cutting wires for precision components in high-precision machine tools worldwide come from Bode High-Tech;
• Over 90% of the world’s sewing machine manufacturers use rotary shuttles from Deying Precision Machinery;
• Nike, Adidas, Puma, Anta, and Li-Ning all choose Shenzhou International for contract manufacturing...

For a city to cultivate a large number of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises, it tests both the level of development of the private economy and the strength of its manufacturing foundation.

“Ningbo people have business acumen in their genes and blood. There are no hurdles Ningbo cannot overcome, because we were born to solve problems,” said a company general manager.

As early as 2004, data showed that there were already more than 100 manufacturing enterprises in Ningbo with the highest market share in the country; today, that number has grown to nearly 200.

This clearly demonstrates that Ningbo stands out as a leader in both the private sector and the manufacturing sector.

But a thousand-mile journey is not completed in a single day.

In addition to the “sweeping monk” spirit—where entrepreneurs focus intently on mastering their craft with depth and precision—Ningbo’s success is inseparable from the government’s “Tang Sanzang”-like determination to “seek the scriptures.”

Tang Sanzang

who spared no effort and devoted himself entirely to Buddhism

The reason the Ningbo government is likened to “Tang Sanzang” lies primarily in the fact that its leadership team adheres to a long-term perspective in planning and strategy, rather than chasing fleeting trends.

When discussing Ningbo, one cannot help but mention another city in Zhejiang—Hangzhou.

From 2013 to 2018, during the five years of rapid growth in the internet industry, Hangzhou shifted its development focus from manufacturing to the digital economy. While this move successfully capitalized on the trend, it also created certain risks, as the economy must ultimately return to the real sector.

Although Ningbo has also undergone a certain degree of “shifting from secondary to tertiary industries,” its digital sector remains somewhat distinct.

How so?

Perhaps the enthusiasm with which a local entrepreneur discusses IT applications is enough to illustrate the point.

An auto parts company in Xianxiang Town, in pursuit of digital and intelligent manufacturing, specifically established an industrial internet software company and eventually transformed its own factory into a model workshop for digital intelligence.

During a three-hour interview, this entrepreneur—now in his 50s—spoke incessantly about IT, digitalization, software, and artificial intelligence.

This suggests that Ningbo’s lead in intelligent transformation may stem from the local government’s effective guidance and the proactive drive for change among private enterprises.

The Ningbo government’s steadfast commitment and original vision are as clear as day.

Fast forward to 2015, when “Made in China 2025”—the first 10-year action plan under China’s strategy to build a manufacturing powerhouse—was issued, and more than 30 cities submitted applications to become pilot cities. Ultimately, the spot went to Ningbo, as expected.

The reason, aside from Ningbo’s achievements in smart manufacturing, lies in the fact that “Made in China 2025” identified ten key development areas. While nearly every province implemented a broader scope than the national framework, Ningbo remained relatively focused, leveraging its unique strengths to pursue a differentiated development path.

Just like Tang Sanzang, who was wholly devoted to “Buddha,” the path may be arduous, but he never shied away from hardship, maintained innovation, and pressed forward with determination.

In Closing

Today, Ningbo’s rapid development has surpassed many people’s expectations, and the achievements of its specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises have already put significant pressure on Shenzhen.

As that entrepreneur said, with strong winds and heavy rain today, the sea is bound to be turbulent. But Ningbo—a city of focus, resilience, and innovation—should have no hurdles it cannot overcome.

Scan the QR code below to follow the "Investment Guide" WeChat official account.