By Cheng Sen

Chinese brands are increasingly capturing global attention in the consumer electronics sector.

Early this September, they took center stage at IFA Berlin, the world’s leading consumer electronics trade show. On display were Chinese humanoid robots advancing into real-world application scenarios and smart home products featuring proactive sensing and collaborative AI services.

Not long ago, the smartphone industry saw a “super release week” for foldable phones. Huawei, Xiaomi, and Apple unveiled their respective flagship products within 72 hours, putting leading Chinese and international brands against each other in the same product category and sparking widespread discussion.

Such moments are no longer outliers; they reflect a broader industrial shift.

Decades ago, China’s manufacturing base was comparatively underdeveloped. Across many sectors, the country started late, trailing global leaders in advanced technologies, standard-setting influence, and even foundational design concepts.

Its early path forward relied heavily on imitation and incremental improvement. Today, that narrative has reversed. From artificial intelligence and new energy vehicles to robotics and aerospace reusability, China now competes on equal footing — or leads — in numerous domains. In previously uncharted territories, it has emerged as both a pioneer and a rule-maker.

These breakthroughs stem from the cumulative power of scientific and technological innovation. Take the smartphone industry as an example. Ultimately, it is exclusive cutting-edge technologies that have empowered Chinese brands to march into the high-end market. Breaking free from the lower rungs of industrial and value chains represents an arduous uphill growth, as well as the continuous forging of brand competitiveness and technological “moats.”

None of this would have been possible without a highly coordinated innovation ecosystem. 

The numbers tell a clear story. The World Intellectual Property Organization recently released its report on the world’s top 100 innovation clusters as part of the Global Innovation Index 2026. China is home to 25 of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, the largest number for the fourth consecutive year. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranked first for the second consecutive year. As a cornerstone of China’s national innovation ecosystem, these regional innovation clusters reflect the steady growth of China’s capacity for scientific and technological innovation.

Progress is driven by clear strategic priorities: state support for sci-tech advancement, the cultivation of advanced, locally adapted industrial capabilities, and targeted policy incentives. 

Equally important is the sheer scale and dynamism of the country’s domestic market, which generates rich application scenarios for iterative testing and commercialization. 

Underpinning both is a deepening talent pool, fueled by tighter integration across education, research, and industry — a virtuous cycle that continually upgrades the quality and distribution of skilled professionals.  

All these ground-laying efforts nurture sparks of innovation and creativity, unleashing momentum for high-quality development.

Yet a clearer understanding of how China’s innovation-driven model works also makes it harder to sustain certain misconceptions. 

For years, some policymakers and media outlets have amplified warnings about a so-called “China Shock 2.0,” attributing China’s progress in high-end manufacturing to industrial subsidies and stoking anxiety in the process. 

In practice, as one international observer noted, China operates like “the world’s toughest gym.” Competition and innovation are embedded in its development model. Rather than delivering a disruptive “shock,” China’s progress expands global opportunities; rather than displacing foreign competitors, it often creates new markets and capabilities.

The evidence is mounting. Volkswagen has adjusted its R&D plans at its headquarters in Wolfsburg based on the model of its R&D center in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province. Chinese AI models have ranked first for 20 consecutive weeks in terms of weekly global usage among large AI models. 

As a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation converges with China’s historic transition in its development model, China is pressing ahead with innovation and working to build itself into a global source of scientific and technological innovation. With such fertile ground for development, China is set to continue surprising the world with innovation.

By Yu Xuan, People’s Daily

In today’s global economy, robust domestic markets are among the most scarce and sought-after resources. Investors increasingly regard China’s market as a rare asset — even among rare assets.

What sets it apart? A single word offers a useful starting point: stability.

This stability is most visible in the quiet continuity of everyday life. Two comparisons help clarify why.

First, the contrast with other major economies. As inflation has risen significantly in major developed economies, with prices still surging and the cost of basic necessities putting growing pressure on household budgets, Chinese consumers have continued to enjoy relatively affordable essentials. Official data supports this observation: China’s consumer price index rose 0.8 percent year on year in August, a modest increase that underscores the steady rhythm of daily life for ordinary citizens.

Second, the shift from past vulnerabilities to present resilience. There was a time when summer power outages and factory shutdowns were a major concern. Today, power rationing has become a rare sight. In August, China’s total electricity consumption once again exceeded 1 trillion kilowatt-hours, with power demand reaching a record high. Yet cities continued to function smoothly, and homes remained brightly lit as usual. 

This reliability stems from a modernized, multi-layered energy infrastructure. From ultra-high-voltage transmission corridors and rural distribution networks to integrated urban microgrids, China’s power system seamlessly blends conventional thermal generation with wind, hydro, and solar sources. The result is a resilient grid that keeps economic and social activities running smoothly.

In a world marked by sluggish recoveries, geopolitical tensions, and volatile energy prices, such stability carries immense value. It provides a rare anchor of predictability.  

Notably, the International Monetary Fund recently revised its global growth forecast downward by 0.1 percentage points for the year, while raising its projection for China’s growth by 0.2 percentage points. This divergence reflects growing confidence in China’s economic resilience — and helps explain why international investors are steadily increasing their capital commitments.

Where does this stability come from? The institutional strengths of China’s system serve as its anchor.

Consider the example of Dadukou district in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality. Once known for its vast steel industry, the district faced a key question after the relocation of Chongqing Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.: how could it build new industries to replace the old? Drawing on its existing strengths, the district made a strategic decision to develop the motorcycle industry.

The market and the government have worked in tandem. Under expedited regulatory approvals,  Qianjiang Motorcycle Group moved into its new smart manufacturing facility as soon as construction was completed. Today, components supplied by Qiutian Gear are used in one out of every five motorcycles manufactured globally, while Lide Industry commands nearly half of China’s domestic clutch market. 

Sound industrial planning, targeted policy support and continuously improving services have helped establish a well-integrated industrial ecosystem within a 15-minute radius in the city.

Balancing dynamism with order is essential. With more than 350 companies competing in the same industry, how can the market remain vibrant without descending into disorder? The key lies in close coordination across the industrial chain and differentiated competition. 

Companies carve out specialized market niches while extending and strengthening the industrial chain, fostering closer integration between manufacturing and consumption, and between industry and tourism. 

From January to August this year, the industrial output of enterprises above the designated size in Dadukou district’s high-end motorcycle sector grew 27 percent year on year. Motorcycle manufacturing, riding, and motorsports events have all become part of the district’s identity, demonstrating how to give the market room to thrive while ensuring effective regulation.

“Combining an efficient market with a well-functioning government” is not only a distinctive strength of China’s socialist market economy, but also a key principle for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). By continuing to improve macroeconomic governance, upgrade traditional industries, expand emerging industries, and plan ahead for future industries, China will further strengthen the certainty and distinctive appeal of its market.

The stability of China’s economy is not static. It is a high-level dynamic equilibrium maintained as the economy continues to advance. Behind it lie strategic resolve and a proactive approach to shaping the country’s future.

“It’s not venture capital, but industrial investment; not gambling, but striving,” said an official in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province, who remains clear-headed despite the praise the city has received for its investment success. 

High returns on industrial investment are only the visible results. The underlying strengths lie in a more fundamental approach: adapting to local conditions, making decisions based on sound analysis, and taking a long-term view.

Instead of chasing every fleeting trend in a frenzy, China stays focused on innovation within chosen sectors. Instead of faltering amid headwinds, it stays anchored to the goal of fostering new quality productive forces. Instead of fixating merely on tangible, immediate gains, it devotes more to laying the groundwork for long-term returns.

This poised mindset, balancing strategic steadiness with tactical agility, embodies the Communist Party of China’s view on political achievements and development. It grows from a forward-evolving governance system, manifests in the tireless endeavors of hundreds of millions of market entities, and quietly shapes people’s steady expectations of Chinese modernization. Such confidence in the path forms the bedrock for China’s sustained and sound economic growth.

By Tian Hong, People’s Daily

The ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from Nov. 5 to 10. 

As the world’s first national-level trade fair focused exclusively on imports, the CIIE has attracted exhibitors and delegates from more than 180 countries and regions across its inaugural eight editions. Overseas exhibitors have made about 27,000 appearances at its business exhibitions, generating cumulative transaction intentions exceeding $580 billion.

Beyond showcasing innovations, the expo has successfully catalyzed the commercialization of exhibited technologies and facilitated the transition of exhibitors into long-term investors. It has thus emerged as a critical gateway for multinational enterprises seeking to establish enduring operations in China.

Held consistently each year and steadily expanding in scale and influence, the CIIE has evolved into a vital platform through which China deepens its engagement with global markets, fosters industrial upgrading, and delivers tangible economic benefits to consumers.

This year, veteran CIIE participants will unveil a series of new products, technologies, and solutions, showcasing their latest innovations. 

Europe-based Louis Dreyfus Company, a Fortune 500 agribusiness, will present a range of innovative animal nutrition products, including specialized phospholipids and proteins, developed at its Shanghai-based global research and development center. 

Japanese consumer goods giant Kao Corp will bring many of its flagship brands to the expo and showcase its efforts to promote more sustainable lifestyles. 

Industrial automation pioneer Rockwell Automation will host the worldwide premiere of a next-generation control platform, alongside demonstrations of its latest initiatives driving industrial decarbonization.

“I am eagerly anticipating my visit to Shanghai this November. The CIIE serves as an important platform that brings together global innovations, connects consumers with partners, and transforms breakthrough ideas into scalable growth opportunities,” said Stephane de La Faverie, president and CEO of the Estée Lauder Companies. 

“Estée Lauder has been deeply committed to China for more than 30 years. China is not only one of our important markets globally, but is also increasingly becoming an important source of talent, insights, and inspiration for the group,” he added. This year will mark his first visit to the CIIE, underscoring the group’s long-term confidence in its continued growth in China.

This year, 169 established companies and 30 overseas exhibition organizers will mark their ninth consecutive participation in the CIIE. Returning exhibitors comprise roughly half of the total lineup, yet occupy around 80 percent of the total exhibition area. The strong “magnetic pull” of the CIIE reflects China’s sustained efforts to advance high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with the rest of the world.

For many multinational companies, the CIIE functions not merely as a product launch venue, but as a dynamic interface where global innovation and the Chinese market mutually reinforce one another.

In August, German pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim announced an enhancement to its China strategy, notably planning to open a new R&D center in Zhangjiang, Shanghai. 

As an eight-time CIIE participant, the company has previously displayed nearly 50 innovative therapies and medical solutions, several of which successfully moved from exhibition stands to commercial distribution 

Since 2025, several new medicines developed by the company have won market approval in China. Some secured simultaneous global approval, while others made their world debut in China.

For years, the CIIE has provided free exhibition space to exhibitors from the world’s least developed countries. This year’s expo will also upgrade its Asia-Africa Products Zone, helping exhibitors from African countries that have diplomatic ties with China seize opportunities created by the zero-tariff policy, and encouraging more countries of the Global South to make full use of the CIIE platform.

In early August, the export authorities of Côte d’Ivoire decided to organize a delegation of small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the ninth CIIE, which will bring signature agricultural products including coffee, dried fruit, cocoa, and cashews. 

During the ninth CIIE, the China-ASEAN Business Center will officially launch a cross-border entrepreneurs club, providing Chinese companies with year-round, full-process services to support their expansion into ASEAN markets.

Ge Hong, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, emphasized that the ninth CIIE will remain firmly aligned with national economic priorities, synergizing with the “Export to China,” “Buy in China,” and “Invest in China” initiatives to harness high-standard opening-up as a catalyst for high-quality growth. 

The expo will further prioritize novelty, sustainability, technological advancement, and product excellence, spotlighting frontier innovations while accelerating the import of premium goods to foster more balanced international trade.

The expo will create more diverse opportunities for business matchmaking, including product selection events for major buyers, a buyers’ corridor, and trade and investment matchmaking activities, to facilitate more targeted and effective connections among exhibitors, buyers, and other participants. It will also upgrade a “trade delegation home” to provide one-stop platforms and integrated services.

As the host city, Shanghai is implementing comprehensive support frameworks ahead of the event. Municipal infrastructure — including public transit routing, port-level customs processing, and smart facility management — is already optimized for peak demand.  

Continuing enhancements include expedited “green channel” procedures for imported exhibits, streamlined customs clearance, bonded exhibition zones, and on-site financial settlement services. 

A wide range of activities, including supply-and-demand matchmaking events, industry forums, investment talks, and policy briefings, are also being prepared. 

Long-term mechanisms for turning exhibits into products and exhibitors into investors are becoming increasingly mature.