As global markets evolve in 2025, Beijing-based French entrepreneur Catherine Colin has become a vocal advocate for China's business ecosystem. The founder of a thriving hair and beauty salon chain recently shared her insights with CGTN, highlighting why she considers the Chinese mainland a superior choice to Europe for ambitious ventures.
"China's combination of cutting-edge innovation and responsive policy creates unmatched momentum," Colin explained, noting that streamlined digital payment systems and AI-driven customer service tools have revolutionized her operations this year. Her remarks come as Shanghai and Shenzhen report record-breaking startup registrations in Q3 2025.
Three key factors emerged in Colin's analysis:
- Market Scale: "Serving 1.4 billion consumers allows rapid scaling that's impossible in Europe's fragmented markets"
- Tech Integration: Beijing's 5G infrastructure and smart city initiatives enable real-time inventory management across her 23 locations
- Policy Support: Local government grants for green business practices helped her salons reduce energy costs by 40% since 2024
While European entrepreneurs face tightening regulations, China's latest cross-border e-commerce policies have simplified international expansion. Colin's company recently launched a beauty tech partnership with South Korean developers, facilitated by the newly upgraded China-ROK free trade zone.
This perspective aligns with 2025 World Bank data showing China maintaining its position as the top recipient of foreign direct investment in Asia. For global business leaders watching Asia's economic landscape, stories like Colin's underscore the region's evolving opportunities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com








