As more Chinese people experience sleeping difficulties, the demand for sleep-monitoring smartwatches saw a 20% surge last year, making the country the most significant market.
According to the 2025 China Sleep Health Survey Report released by the China Sleep Big Data Center, 48.5 percent of adults aged 18 or above in China experience sleep-related difficulties, including issues such as frequent night-time urination, daytime fatigue, early awakening, and difficulty falling asleep.
Meanwhile, a recent report by research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that global shipments of wrist-worn devices dipped by 1.4 percent in 2024; China's market defied the trend, growing by nearly 20 percent to cement its position as the world's largest wearable device consumption market. Huawei, Xiaomi, and Apple are the market leaders.
"I usually stay up late, sometimes till 1:00 or 2:00. I sometimes even stay up all-night to play video games," said a resident.
The trend reflects a broader shift. Around 78 percent of Chinese respondents now use smartwatches or similar devices to track sleep patterns, as revealed by healthcare tech firm ResMed.
"In the past, I used to wake up with a start by the sound of my alarm. And I would feel very tired. The smart watch can wake me up with slight vibrations and wake me up slowly," said the resident.
This sleep watch wearer from Shanghai started using a smartwatch to monitor his sleep quality in 2022.
"At the beginning, I wore both my heart rate belt and the watch to monitor my sleep quality. And they turned out have the same results. But the watch had very detailed data for the durations of deep and light sleep," he said.
For innovation spearheading Huawei, it ranks first in the world with a year-on-year smartwatch shipment increase of 33.6 percent, with a nearly 35 percent market share in China, according to the IDC report.
"I bought a watch at the beginning of the year for my father. It can measure blood pressure and sleep quality, as my father has high blood pressure," said a customer in the store.
More Chinese use smartwatches to battle sleep difficulties
The European Union（EU）and France have reaffirmed their support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland as concerns are growing over security in the Arctic following the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategically important island.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Greenland belongs to its people, so it's up to Denmark and Greenland, and only to them, to decide on matters that are concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Noting that the EU is in contact with the Danish government, Von der Leyen stressed that security in the Arctic region is a key issue of concern to the EU.
Also on Wednesday, the European Parliament's political group leaders issued a statement, condemning the remarks made by the Trump administration regarding Greenland and terming them as a "blatant" challenge to international law and to the sovereignty of NATO member Denmark.
They urged the EU institutions to define "concrete and tangible" support for Denmark and Greenland, and stressed that decisions concerning Greenland belong to Denmark and Greenland alone.
"External attempts to alter the status quo are unacceptable," the leaders said.
In a related development, a group of 23 lawmakers sent a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday, emphasizing that if the United States continues to threaten Denmark's autonomous territory, the European Parliament should suspend debates and votes on trade agreements with the United States.
Currently, the European Parliament is deliberating on removing most U.S. import tariffs and maintaining zero-tariff policies on U.S. lobster, with a vote scheduled for January 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, citing President Emmanuel Macron, warned on Wednesday that any infringement on Danish sovereignty over Greenland would trigger "unprecedented" consequences.
"If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented," said Bregeon.
"we are closely monitoring the situation and will stand firmly with Denmark to defend its sovereignty," the spokeswoman said.
On the same day, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted the need for serious consideration of recent U.S. signals concerning Greenland.
Lecornu reaffirmed France's "full solidarity with Denmark and the legitimate authorities of Greenland," adding that safeguarding the sovereignty of other countries is an important foundation for safeguarding one's own sovereignty.
Furthermore, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Wednesday that France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, calling the move a "political signal" over the strategic Danish territory.
The foreign minister said that the U.S. plan of buying Greenland is "absurd" and that this "blackmail" should stop.
He reiterated that France and Europe will continue to support Denmark.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, while Denmark retains authority over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.
Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland. Both Greenland and Denmark have made clear that the island is not for sale. The White House said last week that Trump will not rule out the use of force.
EU, France reaffirm support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland
