From drill-free portable air conditioners and mist-spraying umbrellas to wearable waist fans and cooling towels capable of reducing temperatures by up to 3°C within moments—this summer, as severe heatwaves swept across Europe, a range of “summer-cooling gadgets” made in China became bestsellers across the continent.
Data shows that in the first five months of this year, China’s air conditioner exports to Western European countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Belgium more than doubled year-on-year. In June alone, exports of Chinese air conditioners to Europe surged by 72.8% compared to the same period last year.
The growing prominence of “Made in China” has attracted significant attention from international media. In many older European buildings, drilling holes in exterior walls is strictly prohibited, and the installation process for traditional air conditioning systems is often complex and time-consuming. Chinese companies identified this challenge and developed portable air conditioners that require no drilling or professional installation, allowing users to set them up independently in as little as 10 minutes.
At a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, the European Union has introduced a series of trade restrictions against China this year. Against this backdrop, the strong performance of Chinese air conditioners and other summer cooling products in Europe, along with a 10.3% year-on-year growth in China–EU trade in the first five months of the year, underscores that the foundation of China–EU economic and trade cooperation lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
Notably, by the end of June, China and the EU formally established a trade and investment consultation mechanism aimed at strengthening ministerial-level dialogue on trade and investment policies to stabilize and balance bilateral relations. This step has been widely regarded as a rational response guided by market principles. The EU’s challenges, it is emphasized, do not stem from China, but rather require cooperation with China as part of the solution.
Stories reflecting “Chinese partnership” are unfolding worldwide. This summer, orders for World Cup-related products manufactured in Yiwu surged; Chinese electric three-wheel vehicles are gaining popularity abroad; and Chinese optical fiber, cables, and modules are seeing widespread adoption.
Why is “Made in China” winning global markets? According to Pan Yuan, a researcher at the National Global Strategy Think Tank of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the key lies in China’s consistent focus on real global consumer demand, precise market insight, and its comprehensive industrial system, extensive supply chains, and efficient logistics network—enabling the rapid delivery of high-quality and cost-effective products and solutions.
Demand drives production orders. The global popularity of “Made in China” is rooted in precise product design and consistently improving quality. Beyond product strength, Chinese manufacturing is also increasingly integrating comprehensive services. Today, embedding full life-cycle services into products has become a defining feature of China’s industrial upgrading and transformation.
China is steadily transitioning from a “world factory” to a “global solutions provider,” offering Chinese approaches to global challenges and promoting shared development worldwide.
Source: Lili, Touhid, China Media Group (CMG).