Chinese exporters expand global markets to offset tariff impacts

China exporters have been actively seeking new opportunities to tap into global markets by accelerating the layout of international production and sales channels to offset tariff impacts.

Two major trade fairs -- the Canton Fair and the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) -- serve as key platforms for businesses to seek opportunities beyond traditional markets like the United States.

The booths of this year's Canton Fair are highly sought after among Chinese exporters hoping to build new business relationship in alternative markets.

"We will surely expand our markets abroad besides the United States. This product is a key focus at present. It has up-to-date functions. Clients from Poland and the Netherlands wanted to sign an exclusive distribution agreement with us right here," said Tang Shousheng, an exhibitor.

Beyond sales expansion, Chinese exporters are also investing in overseas production facilities to strengthen their presence in global markets.

"We plan to invest 10 million yuan (about 1.37 million U.S. dollars) in building overseas factories. In fact, we have already found local suppliers for essential components such as plastics, SMT (surface-mount technology) patches, and packaging materials like color boxes," said Huang Shuyu, an exhibitor.

At the just-concluded CICPE, many Chinese exporters try to diversify their brands and supply chains, hoping to ensure they remain resilient in an unpredictable trade environment.

Some businesses are introducing proprietary brands tailored to specific international markets, and to expand their domestic market sharing.

"We started to launch our own brands last year, and these products have performed very well in the Russian market," said Ran Yan, an exhibitor.

"Our core technologies are self-developed. Right now, the domestic market is the world's largest consumption market in terms of energy storage, and we are confident about the domestic market and our products," said An Dapeng, another exhibitor.

Despite of trade disruptions, many exhibiting businesses remain committed to global expansion.

"We have not given up the global industrial layout in terms of our overall brand strategy," said Li Rongsheng, also an exhibitor.

The Canton Fair kicked off on Tuesday. Running from April 15 to May 5 in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, this edition of the fair has attracted about 31,000 participating firms, up by nearly 900 compared with the previous one.

The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo took place in Haikou City of China's southernmost island province of Hainan from April 13 to 18. It drew a record participation of over 4,100 brands across 71 countries and regions.

Chinese exporters expand global markets to offset tariff impacts

South Africa's Gauteng province will deepen cooperation with China in technology, talent cultivation and trade, said Thulani Kunene, deputy chairperson of the Committees of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, in Johannesburg.

As China shares its vision and future with Africa, its trade partnership with South Africa has also deepened, and a new framework signed last month will grant South African exports duty-free access to the Chinese market.

"We believe that our relationship can take us forward, in terms of mutually benefiting each other. We can benefit from advances in technology from China, and we think that we've got the resources, we've got the young population, young people who are prepared to learn, and we've got entrepreneurs who are willing. And we hope that some of them will take an opportunity to go to China, and also trade with the Chinese. We can sell more products from South Africa, from Gauteng to the Chinese, as much as we also buy products from China," said Kunene in an interview with China Global Television Network.

"The distance between China and Gauteng is not a problem. We've got very good port services, we've got a port in Johannesburg. We also have good freeways, good highways that go to the Sea Port of Durban and Richards Bay. So, we think that we're able to trade easily, as we were already doing," he said.

Starting May 1, China will implement a zero-tariff policy for all products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China.

South Africa's Gauteng province to deepen cooperation with China: official