The addition of Shenzhen as a WTA tournament in 2013 brought the number of WTA International and Premier stops in China to three. And in yet another example of tennis' increased popularity in China, three new WTA 125K Series hardcourt events are also being implemented in 2013. The first of those is in Suzhou in the summer, the next is in Ningbo during the WTA's Asian swing and the last is in Nanjing as the WTA season winds down.

With total prize money of $125,000 and 160 ranking points awarded to the champion, WTA 125K Series events are a level above top-tier ITF Women's Circuit tournaments.

A seaport locale in the northeast of Zhejiang province, Ningbo is one of China's oldest cities - with its history dating back to the Hemudu culture in 4800 BC.