Ningbo, located in the middle of China's coastline and in the south of Yangtze Delta, is one of China's coastal cities to be opened to the outside world. It is divided from Shanghai by the Hangzhou Bay. With an area of 9,365 square kilometers and a population of 5.3 million people, Ningbo enjoys a privileged right of economic management at provincial level, which gives a great impetus to its economic prosperity. There are four county-level satellite cities under Ningbo's jurisdiction, namely: Yuyao, Cixi, Fenghua, and Xiangshan.

Climatic Features: sub-tropical monsoon climate featured with temperate and humid weather and four distinct seasons; frost-free of 230-240 days.

Average Temperature: 16.2 °C (61.2 °F); average high in summer is 32 °C (90 °F), in winter 9 °C (48 °F) .

Average Rainfall: 1,300 mm (51 in) - 1,400 mm (55 in).

In ancient times, Ningbo was the starting point of "Road of Silk" and "Road of China" through sea. Now Ningbo has grown into one of the four international deepwater harbors in China, which can berth 300,000-tonnage vessels. In 1997, its handling capacity of cargo amounted to 82.2 tons and therefore jumped to be the No. 2 harbor in mainland China.

Ningbo has remained to be a main harbor of foreign trade ever since ancient times. It has now opened the nation- level economic and technological development zone, Ningbo Tax-Free Zone and Daxie Development Zone.

As a base of chemical industry in East China, the GDP in Ningbo in 1997 came up to 90 billion yuan, its industrial production value 201.9 billion yuan. It is listed as the No. 27 of China's 219 above-prefecture-level cities.

While Ningbo boasts of advanced transportation and communication facilities, it is also well known for its social stability, unsophisticated residents and developed science and technologies.

Ningbo has gradually broadened its relations with other countries. More than 300,000 overseas Chinese who were born in Ningbo now are dedicated to making contributions to their hometown.

Ningbo now has set its goal to become one of the most modern harbors in China.