Big name global manufacturers keen on 2023

Q1 Given the backdrop of a feared global economic recession, threats to global supply chains and the deep impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, what's your outlook for China's economy and your company's operations in China in 2023?

DING: China's economy has shown its resilience and sound long-term fundamentals amid multiple challenges. We look forward to seeing China's overall recovery as the country rapidly emerges from the pandemic. 3M continues to have confidence in the Chinese market. China has been and will continue to be a strategic market for 3M, where we've achieved growth for nearly 40 years. 3M is committed to our business in China and will continue to invest in local manufacturing, R&D capabilities and our local talent, thus continuing to be a part of China's even more open market.

YU: The expected solid growth in China this year will underpin global economic recovery. The country's initiatives in areas of industrial digitalization and low-carbon development will bring more opportunities to companies such as Honeywell, which focuses on ready-now solutions in sustainability and digitalization. In 2023, Honeywell will continuously give full play to its strengths in digital transformation and low-carbon technologies to enable the sustainability goals of more Chinese customers.

Heinricht: We maintain a positive outlook for 2023, although we still face global challenges, such as increasing energy and raw material costs. Globally, we have set a growth target of 5 to 8 percent for the current fiscal year. In China, we will push ahead to expand our production and continue supplying the local market with reliable products. China is one of the fastest-growing countries and remains a focus market for future growth, as part of Schott's global strategy. In recent years, our company has achieved record-breaking financial results in China. More specifically, during the 2022 fiscal year, Schott was able to grow by 10 percent globally and by 4 percent in China, despite the difficult global environment.

ZHANG: In spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and international turbulence, China's economy has still demonstrated strong resilience and great potential. In 2023, as China enters the post-contagion era, its economy will continue to develop with high quality. The global economy is undergoing various challenges, but this drives the development of the digital economy. More innovative technical solutions are needed in all industries to meet global challenges. Many industries in China are accelerating digital transformation, and they are increasing the recognition and investment in digitalization. This is the "China opportunity" that Dassault Systemes sees. In 2023, Dassault Systemes will expand its business in more industries and regions and will focus on verticals to create industrial ecosystem chains connecting upstream and downstream segments in key industries, and empower more Chinese enterprises with technical innovations, thus helping them succeed in the digital transformation.

HOMMA: In 2023, the Chinese market is likely to suffer from insufficient consumption, including in the real estate sector. Panasonic also faces such challenges. We are delighted to see a surge in the movement of people during the Spring Festival holiday, and that life has returned to the normal hustle and bustle. It is hoped that in 2023, with the appropriate guidance of government policies, China's consumption market will continue to grow and lead the global economy to rebound.