Innovation and pursuing new technological breakthroughs are the key for Chinese brands to go global, said guests at a China Media Group (CMG) event.
The CMG's CCTV business channel recorded its New Year's Eve Speech program at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on Dec 26. The event invited business leaders from prominent Chinese manufacturing enterprises to share their experiences in expanding into global markets.
Gao Dekang, founder and chairman of Bosideng, one of China's leading clothing brands, shared the company's journey to globalization. He said that through innovation, Bosideng is currently supporting extreme adventure activities with excellent technology, and successfully achieved its goal of expanding from the Chinese market to the world.
"Around 2014, we faced unprecedented challenges. Changes in the external environment and the aging of brand awareness put us in a difficult situation. At the critical moment, we reclaimed our original intention, focused on the main channel, reshaped the brand power, product power, and channel power, and did our utmost to specialize in down jackets. In 2018, based on our achievements, we positioned the brand as a high-end one, and strengthened the integration of international high-potential resources and the internationalization of the brand. We integrated the creative design and technological functions of Eastern and Western cultures and demonstrated the professional strength and fashion creativity of Chinese brands to the world," Gao said.
Wang Wei, executive president of Chinese dairy giant Yili, shared how the company built a global dairy innovation center through full industry chain layout and technology research and development.
Wang said Yili's breakthroughs in its global production network has won a worldwide reputation for Chinese dairy products.
"We currently have 81 production bases around the world. The production of milk has now been fully digitized and intelligent. The smart brain controls the entire workshop, and modern equipment such as unmanned vehicles, mechanical arms and robots is readily available. We now also have the world's fastest filling machine, with 11 packs of milk coming off the line every second," Wang said.
In addition to the Yili Global Innovation Center in Inner Mongolia, the company also has innovation centers in the Netherlands and New Zealand, bringing together top scientists from around the world.
In their speeches at the CMG event, entrepreneurs said that in the future, Chinese brands will continue to focus on quality and innovation and shine more brightly in the global market.
Innovation crucial for Chinese brands to go global, say entrepreneurs
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
