Select Language:
The 25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai has seen foreign companies actively increasing their localization efforts to better compete in the market and refine their product strategies. Many are also transforming their China operations into a source of global competitive advantage.
A senior executive from Schneider Electric China noted that the energy for industrial intelligent manufacturing has surged markedly this year, driven by new policies related to supply chains. The event, held from September 23 to 27, features nine themed exhibitions, including robotics, energy solutions, and eco-friendly technologies.
Since the start of the year, the company has introduced a range of research-driven products tailored for China. These offerings are highly applicable locally and are designed to keep costs manageable, support efficient supply chains, and ensure quick service response. The increasing sophistication of Chinese technologies and supply chains has empowered multinational corporations to accelerate innovation within China, resulting in products that hold global appeal.
China stands out as one of the company’s primary global research and development hubs, with investments there growing at an annual rate exceeding 18 percent since 2019.
The president of a leading German machine tool manufacturer in China mentioned that when foreign firms first entered the market, local R&D teams concentrated mainly on matching and debugging. Now, these teams are developing solutions for both domestic and international markets. He emphasized the excitement Chinese teams experience as they grow alongside the local market and take a leading role in advanced technological fields.
Last year, this company reported sales of around EUR 515 million (approximately USD 600 million), with local manufacturing constituting about 30 percent and more than 10 percent of its staff engaged in R&D.
Several executives from multinational companies shared that China’s advancements in digitalization and intelligent transformation are compelling them to streamline costs and enhance service quality. These efforts are increasingly serving as benchmarks worldwide.
For example, at this fair, Schneider Electric highlighted numerous innovative products and solutions, increased investments in related areas, and co-released a report on “5G + Edge Computing” with partners. Its factory in Shanghai has adopted integrated solutions aimed at boosting labor productivity.
Chinese innovations are also becoming more deeply embedded in the global industrial ecosystem. JAKA Robotics launched its industrial embodied intelligence platform at the event, with products now available in multiple countries, showing a 59 percent increase in global sales in 2024. Similarly, Siemens showcased innovations from Chinese startups, including PsiBot’s robotic solutions for picking and packing, which can cut costs by over 30 percent.
An industry expert from the global electronics sector said that China accounts for roughly a third of the world’s electronics supply chain capacity. Given this scale, she advised foreign investors to deepen their commitment to a China-centered strategy.
Another analyst pointed out that while China initially attracted foreign technology and investment, the country has since made major advances in many fields. This progress has shifted perceptions on both sides—China sees foreign capital as a partner, and foreign investors recognize China’s emerging strengths, fostering a more balanced and respectful relationship.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
