By Yan Yiran

"Welcome to Ningbo!" At the 17th China (UAE) Trade Expo, a captivating promotional video of Ningbo caught the attention of many visitors.

From the sparkling Sanjiangkou to the historic Old Bund, the vibrant urban scene unfolded, from the ancient books in the libraries to the legendary tales of the merchant clans, the rich humanistic and historical charm was palpable.

Throughout the exhibition site, elements of Ningbo were omnipresent. In addition to the prominent "Ningbo Connects the World" logo, city posters featuring Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Moon Lake were displayed. These posters came with QR codes that visitors could scan to access more fascinating information about the city.

The exhibition was a scene of overwhelming popularity. A steady stream of visitors gathered in front of the video or at the QR code scanning station to learn more about Ningbo.

"I have visited Ningbo before and I remember the delicious tangyuan (sticky rice balls). They were one of my favourites," said Ms Jisa Shaji, a buyer from Badri Electro Supply & Trading Co. "I'm planning another trip to China soon, and Ningbo is definitely on my itinerary. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in Ningbo."

As she spoke, she scanned the QR code on the poster, and the screen instantly displayed stunning images of Ningbo, including the historic Tianyige Museum and Ningbo Zhoushan Port, which ranks first in the world for cargo throughput, filling her with anticipation for Ningbo.

Nearby, two representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Ningbo Committee, served as "ambassadors" for the city. They enthusiastically guided the foreign traders through the video, introduced them to the city's natural and cultural landscapes, and explained Ningbo's efforts and initiatives to create a favourable business environment in recent years.

Like Ms Jisa Shaji, many foreign merchants took a "virtual tour" of Ningbo by scanning the QR codes on their introductions.

"We hope to use the exhibition as a concentrator to increase the promotional impact of Ningbo exponentially," said an official from the Ningbo International Communication Center. Through the overseas exhibitions in the "Ningbo Connects the World" series, they actively shared the city's stories behind Ningbo as a major foreign trade hub.