Chinese National Team Enters! How to Help Chinese Enterprises Take Root and Flourish Globally?

China is currently transitioning from being a major manufacturing nation to becoming a strong manufacturing power, and Chinese enterprises have entered a new era of globalization. From industrial cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative" to state-backed "going global" models and to design empowerment​​ focusing on "high-quality, precision, and uniqueness," Tian Bin, General Manager of MIIT's International, shared insights on how Chinese enterprises can "go global, integrate in, move up" overseas. He also proposed the strategic vision of "making the world fall in love with Chinese design." The discussion not only focused on industrial and supply chains, and brand competitiveness but also explored the integration of culture and technology, providing forward-thinking inspiration for the internationalization of Chinese manufacturing.

Belt and Road Initiative and Industrial Cooperation

Host: You have conducted numerous on-site visits to countries along the "Belt and Road" route. Based on your first-hand research experience, in your view, what are the most promising areas of cooperation for Chinese industries? Are there any challenges or obstacles?

Tian Bin:

The "Belt and Road Initiative" has been progressing for over a decade. Particularly last year, when President Xi emphasized during the fourth "Belt and Road" forum the importance of promoting high-quality development for the initiative, with an emphasis on ​​"small yet smart" projects​​, especially livelihood projects.

So when we discuss the "Belt and Road" today, the next key focus is industrial cooperation. Industrial cooperation implies that Chinese enterprises are not just exporting products but also going global themselves, alongside strategic industrial planning.

In countries along the "Belt and Road" route, we have a large number of enterprises closely tied to people's livelihoods, including manufacturing companies, new energy vehicle manufacturers, white goods producers, and leading businesses in wind energy and photovoltaics.

This new phase requires enterprises not only to go abroad but also to survive and thrive. This means Chinese manufacturing enterprises must learn to mitigate risks, avoid costly lessons, and at the same time, strengthen integration and cooperation with local enterprises and institutions to localize and better adapt to market demands.

Just like how Japanese, German, and American companies rooted themselves in China in the 1990s, we must now take root overseas, deeply integrating with local markets and cultures.

"Going Global, Integrating In, Moving Up"

Host: You just mentioned "Going Global, Integrating In, and Moving Up." Could you elaborate on this?

Tian Bin:

These are the three stages of Chinese manufacturing development overseas:

- Going Global: Taking products beyond national borders.

- Integrating In: Truly setting up and embedding in the local market.

- Moving up: Advancing up the global value chain for sustainable and long-term development.

Therefore, companies need not only to export their products but also to gain a firm foothold in the local market, integrating with local enterprises and institutions. Ultimately, this aims to transition from being a "manufacturing powerhouse" to becoming a "smart manufacturing stronghold."

The National Team Steps In

Host: You mentioned "the involvement of the national team." What does this mean for enterprises?

Tian Bin:

In the past, Chinese companies venturing abroad mostly relied on their own teams, which was relatively fragmented. As the scale has grown, the model has evolved from individual enterprises going abroad to industrial park-based ventures and now to cluster-based and industrial chain expansions abroad.

This requires more professional platforms. MIIT International fulfills this role by providing "accompanying services". It not only helps companies get on the horse but also rides along with them for the first mile. Through forming a "national team," we help Chinese enterprises effectively connect overseas and foster deep collaborations.

This cannot be achieved without professional, international, and high-end service teams that help companies go abroad more safely and efficiently.

The Power of Design: Making the World Fall for Chinese Design

Host: We've also noticed that you've proposed to "make the world love Chinese design." Why is design so crucial?

Tian Bin:

The strength of "Made in China" lies in "making more, making faster, and making everything." The next step is to shift to "making better, making more precise, and making unique products"—things that others cannot make.

The core that supports this point is design. Design is at the forefront of manufacturing, the industrial and supply chain, and the value chain.

For example, Apple is a design company. Its "Designed by Apple in California" label has made the world fall in love with American design. China also needs a similar path.

Today, companies like Huawei and Xiaomi are transitioning from manufacturing-oriented enterprises to design-driven enterprises. Through "high configuration and competitive price" products, such as new energy vehicles, Chinese companies have opened up new landscapes in Europe and countries along the "Belt and Road."

Therefore, the future is not only about good quality and competitive prices but also about winning global appreciation for China's design language and brand charm.

Guochao Going Global and Cultural Soft Power

Host: MIIT International is promoting the "four-in-one" Guochao initiative of brand, design, manufacturing, and culture. Could you talk about the considerations behind this?

Tian Bin:

When we take enterprises abroad, it is not just about showcasing products but also exporting culture. Silk, ceramics, traditional Chinese medicine, and baijiu (Chinese liquor) are all classic industries backed by thousands of years of Chinese culture.

We need to combine these historical classics with modern technology to create new cross-disciplinary products. For example, integrating jade and ceramic Motifs into the interior design of Hongqi cars combines traditional culture with modern technology, enhancing international consumer recognition.

We are also attempting to combine historical classics with major international IPs to create cross-disciplinary collisions. This not only helps products go abroad but also allows brands and culture to go abroad together, effectively narrating the story of Intelligent Manufacturing from China.

The Next Stage of Focus

Host: What will be the core focus for Chinese enterprises to enhance global competitiveness in the future?

Tian Bin:

I believe the key is still design. By leveraging design innovation, we can empower enterprises to forge core competitiveness.

Design is not only a reflection of product functionality but also a combination of culture, technology, and consumers' lifestyles. Through design, we can truly achieve "making the world fall for 'Made in China' and 'Designed by China'."

In the new era of smart manufacturing, Chinese companies expanding overseas face both opportunities and challenges. MIIT International, through industrial collaboration, design empowerment, and cultural export, is helping enterprises enhance their overall competitiveness and establish a foothold in overseas markets. We believe that as long as small and medium-sized enterprises embrace change and actively seize opportunities, they will certainly achieve remarkable success.