Ningbo Customs recently announced that the city’s total foreign trade import and export volume reached $82.904 billion last year, marking a historic milestone as it ranked among the top ten in the country for the first time. Nearly one-third of the city's population is employed in sectors directly or indirectly linked to foreign trade, highlighting the significant role of international commerce in Ningbo’s economy. The city’s foreign trade volume has now reached levels comparable to those of developed nations like Japan and Italy. According to the Ministry of Commerce's ranking of 36 provinces, municipalities, and cities under separate planning, Ningbo's total import and export volume surpassed Tianjin and Liaoning, securing the ninth position nationally and second place among the separately planned cities. So why is Ningbo’s "foreign trade engine" accelerating? Qiu Zhiming, president of Beifa Group, recalls his first visit to the Canton Fair in April 1993. At the time, he carried just a box of ballpoint pens packed in simple wooden boxes, hoping to secure orders at the exhibition hall stairs. His first foreign trade order was only $20,000. Today, Beifa Group has grown into China’s largest pen manufacturer and ranks third globally. Its pen exports have exceeded $100 million annually. Like Qiu, thousands of companies in Ningbo started their journey through foreign trade. Ten years ago, farmers from Ninghai traveled together to the Canton Fair. Last year, the 50 self-operated foreign trade enterprises they established achieved $162 million in exports, accounting for half of the total output value of local foreign trade companies. When they returned to the fair, they were able to conduct business negotiations with international buyers. Over the years, “Made in Ningbo” has evolved from “Ningbo Creativity” to “Ningbo Zhizhi,” moving away from simple imitation and focusing on increasing product value. The products now exported are lighter, smarter, and more valuable. Ningbo has produced several well-known “export champions,” such as Dunhuang Brand polyester sewing thread, Beifa Card and Rongcheng ballpoint pens, Great Wall tape measures, Shuanglu batteries, and Haitian injection molding machines. Additionally, the city is known for exporting water dispensers, electric irons, hair dryers, heaters, twin-cylinder washing machines, power outlets, and other products that dominate national export markets. Currently, out of every $100 of “Made in China” exports, at least $5.5 comes from Ningbo. Foreign trade is becoming an increasingly vital contributor to Ningbo’s economy. According to internationally accepted standards, each $100 million in exports can generate employment for 10,000 people in China. With last year’s exports totaling $51.96 billion, this equates to over 5.2 million jobs. One in three people employed in Ningbo is directly involved in foreign trade, according to Ding Haibin, a spokesperson from the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.