Ningbo offers a window into China's green transition

The Geely Safety Center in Ningbo. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Once known as a major port city along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province is now emerging as a showcase of the country's green transformation.

With a history shaped by trade and cultural exchange dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Ningbo has become a key hub for China's booming electric vehicle (EV) industry.

The city is home to the headquarters of Zeekr, Geely's premium EV brand. At its future factory, sustainability is embedded in every stage of production. A giant digital screen tracks the plant's carbon footprint in real time, while systems such as waste-heat recovery help reduce energy consumption.

Ningbo's green transition extends beyond emerging industries. At Ningbo Iron & Steel, a traditional heavy industry enterprise, years of investment have transformed operations. The company has spent around 4 billion yuan ($591.27 million) on ultra-low-emission upgrades, becoming a national benchmark for green transformation and attracting visits from delegations across China.

The steel plant now recycles all of its industrial water through an advanced treatment system. Water sourced from the city's wastewater treatment facilities is reused multiple times, while excess water is desalinated and recovered. The company has also implemented a management system the eliminates solid waste.

Ningbo's experience highlights the key pillars of China's green transition: sustained investment, strict regulation, and technological innovation.