Canva to spur efforts for digital uptrend in nation

Bolstered by the dynamism of China's expanding digital economy and its flourishing user base of creative professionals, visual communication platform Canva has been ramping up its long-term commitment to the country, a senior executive of the Sydney-based company said.

The firm will continue to channel investments into the country over the next three to five years, strategically deploying resources across technology, talent, and localized partnerships to establish an unassailable footing in the competitive market, said Wang Kexin, general manager of Canva China.

Canva's ambition is underpinned by the conviction that China represents one of its most critical growth vectors, she said.

"The Chinese market is full of vitality and creativity, and it has always been one of the markets we value most," Wang said.

"China's vast user base and unique application scenarios not only drive the rapid development of the local market, but also provide operational and product insights that have influenced, and been adopted by, Canva's global platform."

"We aim to combine leading AI technologies with the real needs of Chinese users to make our product more attuned to the Chinese language and cultural context. Some product innovations originally developed to serve Chinese use cases, such as advanced Chinese font effects, have been incorporated into the global platform," she said.

According to Wang, the push into China is driven by technology, with artificial intelligence identified as the core weapon in its drive for "design equality".

Wang confirmed a collaborative approach with local tech leaders, actively forging alliances with Chinese AI platforms to refine its product functions rapidly for the distinct needs of the local user base.

Since its entry into China in 2018, the company has witnessed fast adoption backed by the market's huge user base. It has secured key strategic agreements, notably a technology partnership on the HarmonyOS system, and expanded its enterprise customer base across a range of industries, including catering, retail, the automotive sector and e-commerce businesses serving overseas markets.

Industry experts believe China's pledge to stabilize foreign trade and attract foreign investment also provides significant tailwinds, as the nation vows to further lower market entry barriers for foreign investment and expand market access for foreign businesses.

Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said allowing more foreign involvement in the services sector helps introduce cutting-edge technologies and advanced management methods, which, in turn, pressures domestic firms to modernize and boost their overall competitive edge.

Further, as more Chinese companies take their brands overseas to tell their stories, Canva's global resources can provide seasonal, on-trend services for brand premium, helping local Chinese enterprises go global, Wang said.

"With the deepening application of AI, we provide customized generation services for enterprises. This ensures that employees can produce brand-aligned visual content through simple instructions, reducing repetitive tasks to focus more on strategy and innovation," Wang said.