Global Brands Seize New Opportunities
Earlier this month at CIIE 2025 in Shanghai, CGTN’s Michael Wang hosted a special BizTalk session with senior executives from IKEA China, BlueFive Capital and Airbus China. They unpacked how China’s high-level opening-up policies are creating a springboard for long-term investment, deeper market access and sharper global competitiveness.
Building Deeper Local Partnerships
Aleksey Efremov, senior vice president of IKEA China, highlighted how recent tariff cuts and streamlined import procedures have empowered the home furnishing giant to expand its local manufacturing network. “We’re working with more domestic suppliers and doubling down on sustainable product lines designed for Chinese consumers,” Efremov remarked. This approach is strengthening IKEA’s supply chain resilience while catering to evolving tastes across tier-1 and emerging cities.
Fueling Innovation with Strategic Capital
Hazem Ben-Gacem, founder and chief executive of BlueFive Capital, explained that liberalized financial regulations are unlocking private equity flows into China’s tech and health sectors. “We’re partnering with local startups to accelerate digital healthcare platforms and smart-city solutions,” Ben-Gacem said. By tapping into a growing pool of tech talent and supportive policy frameworks, BlueFive Capital is positioning itself for sustained growth in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Elevating Aviation with Local Expertise
For Airbus China CEO George Xu, high-level opening-up has paved the way for deeper R&D collaboration and expanded final assembly lines on Chinese soil. “We’re training a new generation of engineers and boosting production capacity to meet booming air travel demand,” Xu noted. This strategy not only enhances Airbus’s global competitiveness but also fosters technology transfer and skills development across the aviation ecosystem.
Charting the Path Forward
Across sectors, these conversations underscore a shared belief: China’s commitment to opening its doors offers a unique opportunity for multinational companies to embed themselves more deeply in the local economy. With policies that encourage investment, innovation and sustainable practices, global brands are rewriting the playbook for growth in China’s vast, dynamic market.
Reference(s):
BizTalk: CIIE 2025 – Insights into China's high-level opening-up
cgtn.com
