Summer heat sees hot demand for Chinese-made cooling products as int'l orders soar

The stifling summer temperatures are bringing a big business opportunity for Chinese companies involved in the production of specialized cooling products, with orders flying in from around the world as much of the northern hemisphere feels the heat.

Vendors at the Yiwu International Trade Market, the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities located in east China's Zhejiang Province, have been witnessing an increasing international demand for cooling products during the summer months.

Among the many innovative products on show is a parasol that can not only shield from the sun but also spray a refreshing water mist and blow cold air through its built-in fan.

The item has attracted the attention of many visitors from the Middle East, with one Afghan merchant keen to place a big order after a having brief chat with the Chinese producer.

"This product is very high quality, I thought this is very beautiful, and the price is very good. I think this will have a good market [in my country]. [I will order] about 50-60 cartons, [or] up to 100 cartons," said the Afghan client.

Business owner Zhang Jiying said she was aware of the demands on the international market, noting how many foreign customers prefer larger umbrellas which are fitted with cooling functions, which led her to tailor her design of the product to suit these needs.

"Some foreign merchants can be a little taller, so they prefer a bigger-sized umbrella. Umbrellas like this are basically customized, especially in hot countries. For example, our customers in Saudi Arabia have placed three rounds of orders, ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 umbrellas each time," said Zhang.

Another big summer hit has been a wearable fan which can simply hook onto a user's clothing and fits snugly around the waist. This portable product has proven to be particularly popular on the European and American markets, with its long battery life of up to eight hours also being an added bonus.

"Previously, fans worn around the neck had a weak airflow and was limited to that area, while the fan which fixes onto the waist is much stronger and allows cool air to reach the entire upper body. Out biggest customer group is mostly outdoor sports enthusiasts in Europe and the United States," said merchant Wang Si.

Another Yiwu company that has caught on to the 'cool' and fashionable trend is busy producing large sun hats which feature solar-powered fans around the rim. The firm has sold more than 400,000 of these hats so far, with factories working to keep up the surging demand for order.

"When our products started to gained popularity, I didn't dare to answer the phone, because at that time our production capacity had already increased from 2,000 to 10,000, so we already had a two-month backlog, and I simply couldn't accept any new orders," said factory director Jiang Yongtao.

Summer heat sees hot demand for Chinese-made cooling products as int'l orders soar

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media