Transformative opportunities for MNCs

Q2

"China Travel" and "Shopping in China" have become buzzwords among international visitors, fueled by China's unilateral visa-free policies for multiple countries and a new initiative allowing eligible travelers to receive instant tax refunds. How is your business planning to innovate and capture the momentum from this trend? Additionally, how do you view emerging opportunities in areas such as green technology, the low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing, and experiential services?

ZHOU: The "China Travel" trend underlines the growing economic and cultural exchanges between China and the world, and reflects the increasing attention paid to China's progress in technology and innovation — topics of great interest to Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).

The Chinese market is central to our growth strategy, as one of the world's largest producers and importers of agricultural goods. The country's continued reform and opening-up efforts, coupled with its focus on high-quality, innovation-driven development, have created an important bridge for foreign enterprises like LDC to engage with the domestic market.

We believe that strengthening global collaboration and fostering open dialogue across food supply chains are essential to addressing global challenges and ensuring access to food for all.

BUURMA: Since the Chinese government began implementing its unilateral visa-free policies in 2023, many of our shows in China have welcomed a significant increase in international visitors. This includes 17 percent, 29 percent and 99 percent growth at our three most recent spring and autumn editions of Intertextile Apparel, while in 2025 Toy & Hobby China saw an increase of 47 percent. As organizers, we leverage this visa-free advantage by increasing invitations to and incentives for overseas buyers, either as VIPs or as part of group delegations. Their business is extremely valuable for domestic exhibitors who use our platforms to connect with the global market.

Messe Frankfurt is always on the lookout for emerging opportunities. We aim to elevate domestic exhibitors at our new AERO Asia 2025 show in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, focusing on general aviation and the low-altitude economy.

YIN: As an "old friend" of China, Schneider Electric is very pleased to see that the high-level opening-up, represented by visa-free policies, is constantly revitalizing the Chinese market.

As one of the most local global companies and a leader in industrial technologies, Schneider Electric has long benefited from China's opening-up policies. Welcomed by this market, we have continued to invest in the region, establishing 23 factories and 7 distribution centers across the country. We have also set up five major R&D centers within China, including an AI innovation lab. Our local ecosystem continues to expand, now encompassing over 1,600 Chinese suppliers and 1,100 distributors, as well as other types of eco-partners. Leveraging these strengths, our China-innovated products and solutions not only meet the needs of Chinese customers, but also lead in the global market.

CHENG: The rise of "China Travel" and eco-conscious consumption presents opportunities for consumer-facing innovation. We are exploring local partnerships and e-commerce platforms to offer curated and eco-friendly products and services. As a pioneer in green technology, we are continually working on hydrogen fuel cells and EVs. We have been staying ahead of the curve to ensure we provide the right products to support the industry. Working with over 35 electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers for many years, Valvoline already has a full suite of products for EVs, including heat transfer fluids. Our decades-long technical partnerships also fuel industrial advancements.

TAN: In response to the rise of "Chinese tourism" and "shopping in China", we plan to capitalize on this trend by developing functional products that incorporate Chinese cultural elements and cater to travel-shopping scenarios — such as lightweight sneakers and versatile backpacks. We will enhance our presence by opening new stores in key commercial districts of popular tourist cities. For emerging sectors, Skechers is exploring sustainable innovations with a new "Our Planet Matters" collection to align with global sustainability trends and China's dual-carbon goals. Meanwhile, offline stores are introducing immersive experience zones to enhance experiential consumption and strengthen user loyalty.