New rules of expansion: Chinese firms urged to ‘go local’ as they chase sales abroad

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Xinyi WuFebruary 1, 2026 at 02:00 PM
New rules of expansion: Chinese firms urged to ‘go local’ as they chase sales abroad

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Facing declining domestic profits, Chinese companies are increasingly expanding internationally, prompting experienced firms to offer guidance. Industry leaders, like Gree Electric Appliances, advise prioritizing localization to overcome challenges abroad. This push is driven by weak domestic demand, overproduction, and trade uncertainties, supported by new government policies. Despite being a net capital exporter for a decade, Chinese firms encounter obstacles including labor criticisms, cultural differences, and geopolitical risks. Experts warn against creating isolated "enclaves" by importing entire Chinese teams, emphasizing the importance of integrating into local communities, as exemplified by Gree's minimal Chinese management in its Brazil factory.

Keywords

chinese firms 100% international expansion 90% go local 80% gree electric appliances 70% global stage 70% domestic profits 60% geopolitical risks 60% cultural frictions 50% trade uncertainties 50% policy support 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral
Score: 0.10

Source Transparency

Source
South China Morning Post
Political Lean
Center-Right (0.50)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).