Ningbo's cultural voyage at Expo 2025 Osaka

An exhibition of seals is put on by Ningbo at the Expo 2025 Osaka. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

At the Expo 2025 Osaka, Ningbo captivated audiences.

It did so during During the "Ningbo Day" event at the China Pavilion's Zhejiang Week with a 14-meter digital scroll, which revived ancient eastern Zhejiang landscapes drawn by Japanese monk Sesshu Toyo. This seamless blend of tradition and technology showcased Ningbo's rich maritime legacy and its modern vitality.

On the stage of the expo, Ningbo Lightyear Songsheng Energy Group wowed visitors with its solar power tiles — designed for local Li'ao village rooftops — which won high praise for merging clean energy with heritage aesthetics.

Another Ningbo company, Topcentral New Material, took environmental tech mainstream, turning marine governance solutions into tangible lifestyle products — from T-shirts to electric toothbrushes. These efforts led to new business opportunities with Japanese firms.

Cultural diplomacy thrived too. Ningbo signed cooperation agreements with Japanese cities and museums, deepening people-to-people ties and laying the groundwork for future exchanges in culture and tourism.

From embroidered items to digital scrolls and model ships, Ningbo's narrative reached out across borders. Even culinary delights like tangyuan or glutinous rice balls created emotional connections.

From sustainable tech to intangible heritage, Ningbo's "culture-first" approach is said to be reshaping its global engagement. In the winds of globalization, Ningbo has raised its cultural sails — navigating towards a shared understanding and broader cooperation.