By Zhao Yu

A cultural hub showcasing Ningbo's heritage and coastal identity has opened at the Malaysia site of Ningbo Kaite Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., giving local employees a closer look at the Chinese port city's history and culture.

The "Hi Craft" exhibition features a range of displays, including traditional fan-inspired crafts, historic images of Ningbo's old city, and photographs highlighting the city's port development. The displays drew interest from employees, many of whom stopped to take a closer look and capture photos.

A grass-woven fan, a traditional Ningbo handicraft, became one of the most popular displays. Malaysian employee Amzar spent time examining the item and learning about its cultural background.

Having previously visited only Guangdong province, Amzar had never been to Ningbo. Through the exhibition's images and descriptions, he gained his first impression of the city — a coastal hub shaped by its maritime heritage and port economy.

"So this is Ningbo: such a beautiful port city. After seeing this exhibition, I really hope to visit Ningbo in person and experience it for myself," he said.

For another employee, Annie, the "Hi Craft" display provides an easy way to learn about Ningbo and China without leaving the workplace. She said the displays had sparked her interest in visiting Ningbo in the future and experiencing the city's traditions and modern development firsthand.

The exhibition was organized by Kaite, a company specializing in the research, development and manufacturing of exhaust system components, catalytic converters and mufflers. Its core management and R&D team have over a decade of industry experience. The company has operated in Malaysia for more than three years.

According to company head Rong Yongbo, many local employees had limited knowledge of China before the exhibition, and few had visited the country. Through the "Hi Craft" cultural hub, the company hopes to provide a more direct way for Malaysian employees to learn about Ningbo's history, traditions and urban development.

"Hi Craft" helps bridge this cultural gap by bringing elements of Ningbo's heritage directly to overseas audiences, allowing more people to gain a closer understanding of the city and China, Rong said.

He added that the company will continue to support cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia through more activities, helping share Ningbo's heritage and urban identity with local communities.