Observation of the Consumer Expo: The deep interweaving of industrial chains and the acceleration of China ASEAN economic and trade cooperation

Haikou, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "In the past, there was a saying in Zhengda Variety that 'you don't know if you don't watch, the world is really wonderful.' Now it can be said that 'you don't know if you don't watch, China is really wonderful.'" Xue Zengyi, Senior Vice Chairman of Zhengda Group's agricultural and animal husbandry food enterprise in China, told reporters at the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo.

As a representative of a multinational enterprise that has been deeply involved in the Chinese market for many years, he deeply feels the impact of Chinese companies going global on Southeast Asia in the past few years: "SAIC Group has jointly established factories with us in Thailand, and our products can radiate to Southeast Asia; China Mobile has also jointly invested with us in Thailand; Alibaba, Tencent, Muyuan and other companies are all joining hands with us to go global

Xue Zengyi's list is a vivid epitome of Chinese companies going global to Southeast Asia in recent years.

Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the China ASEAN Center, pointed out during the Consumer Expo that the construction of the 3.0 version of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area is steadily advancing, and the scale of trade and investment between the two sides has repeatedly reached new highs, with increasingly close industrial and supply chain connections.

At the Consumer Expo, this trend can be clearly captured: Chinese enterprises are gradually transforming from mere exporters of goods to organizers of the industrial chain. From agriculture to electronic devices and automobile manufacturing, the connection between Chinese products, Chinese brands, and Southeast Asia is constantly strengthening.

Vietnam, Thailand and other countries saw explosive growth in electric motorcycle sales in March, while China's "electric motorcycles" are accelerating their expansion into Southeast Asia; Prior to this, Chinese goods had been widely sold to ASEAN countries through e-commerce platforms.

While the products are deeply integrated into Southeast Asia, the Chinese industrial chain is also deeply integrated into the local area, injecting momentum into the development of Southeast Asian industries.

For example, Huawei Kunling has entered the Thai e-commerce platform, providing digital solutions for over 3 million local small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting the digital transformation of Southeast Asian small and medium-sized enterprises; Yihang Intelligence participates in the AAM Sandbox program in Thailand, promoting the commercial operation of manned unmanned aerial vehicles (eVTOLs) and assisting in the development of airworthiness and infrastructure standards locally.

In the new consumption field, "China-Chic" brands, such as Xicha, Mixue Ice City and Paopao Mart, are becoming the trend code connecting the young generation.

From Labubu to "Star People", China Chaoplay has attracted young local consumers by integrating the design of Southeast Asian local culture. Chinese new tea drink brands will build themselves as carriers of Chinese new tea drink culture, launching tea drink products that incorporate local elements, and making the brand a window to experience Chinese tea culture through flash mobs, traditional tea art demonstrations, and other forms.

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In the past five years, with the overlapping release of the benefits of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), bilateral economic and trade cooperation has achieved leapfrog development. The latest data shows that China's imports and exports to ASEAN increased by 15.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, and ASEAN continues to maintain its position as China's largest trading partner.

Nowadays, China's economic and trade exchanges with Southeast Asia have gone beyond simple commodity trading. The deep interweaving of the industrial chain, supply chain, and value chain is forming a win-win situation of "you in me, I in you" for both parties.

As more and more Chinese companies enter Southeast Asia with technology, standards, and brands, a closer China ASEAN community of shared future is becoming within reach.