Global companies are leveraging China's vast consumer base to testbed cutting-edge innovations, as seen at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. Executives highlighted how evolving preferences in the Chinese mainland are reshaping global product development strategies across health tech, smart vehicles, and lifestyle sectors.
"The speed of adoption here forces us to innovate faster," said a European health tech executive, one of three veteran CIIE participants interviewed by CGTN's Wang Tianyu. Their AI-powered diagnostic tools, initially designed for China's aging population, are now being adapted for European markets.
Automakers showcased electric vehicles with AI interfaces specifically trained on Chinese linguistic patterns, while fashion brands debuted sustainable materials developed through partnerships with Shanghai-based tech startups. Analysts note these cross-industry collaborations signal China's growing role as an innovation incubator rather than just a manufacturing hub.
With over 3,400 exhibitors from 128 countries and regions, the expo underscores how multinationals view understanding Chinese market dynamics as critical for global competitiveness. As consumer expectations increasingly drive R&D priorities worldwide, China's market scale continues to offer unparalleled testing grounds for next-generation technologies.
