US multinationals develop solutions in China to go global

U.S. multinationals are continuing to expand in China, as their research and development in the country proves crucial for going global, and robust local supply chains complement American-made component imports.

The latest survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai found that nearly four in five respondents were profitable last year, the highest share since 2019.

A separate 2026 survey by the U.S.-China Business Council found that 95 percent of respondents consider their operations in China important to maintaining their global competitiveness.

One U.S. company with a major presence in the Chinese market is Cummins, one of the world's largest engine makers. In 2008, Cummins and Foton Motor set up a joint venture -- Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., Ltd. (Foton Cummins).

"The staff here are assembling and producing our engines at the moment. Some of the key components come from China, while others come from the United States. For example, the fuel system and ECM (engine control unit) come from the U.S., while key engine components such as the engine block, cylinder head and crankshaft are homegrown," said Huang Yunbao, chief engineer of intelligent manufacturing at the Foton Cummins engine plant.

The engines produced at the plant power everything from light- and heavy-duty trucks to generators, excavators and loaders. Their reach extends around the world, as Cummins exports engines to markets across Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Similar business ties are reaching into some emerging areas, as evidenced by Dow's Cooling Science Studio in Shanghai.

The U.S.-headquartered materials company is working on thermal-management solutions for areas including AI and data centers. For those industries, keeping powerful equipment cool is becoming a bigger challenge.

Dow is applying silicone-based liquid-cooling technology to help remove heat more efficiently.

"In China, we have built strong manufacturing and R and D capabilities to serve local customers, as well as the broader Asia Pacific region. Our approach is to combine our global reach with local strengths, investing where we can best serve our customers and create long-term value," said Crystal Huang, president of Dow Greater China.

Researchers at the studio say China offers a massive market to test new ideas, emphasizing that what works in the country can then reach customers around the world.

US multinationals develop solutions in China to go global

With the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday, markets across China are seeing booming sales, backed by strong supplies ranging from assorted mooncakes to leafy greens and fresh seafood.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, mooncake sales have entered their peak season in cities across China. At a long-established pastry shop in north China's Tianjin Municipality, customers keep staff busy packing and restocking mooncakes. The shop owner said that the daily sales are now close to 400,000 yuan (about 60,000 U.S. dollars).

Many merchants in Tianjin are focusing on new flavors and offering freshly made, in-store mooncakes, attracting customers eager for both taste and freshness.

"Our master chefs make every mooncake fresh on the spot, wrapping and baking each one by hand. Sometimes customers buy them while they are still warm, straight from the kitchen," said Xiao Huifang, shop owner.

To ensure sufficient supplies for the busy season, markets nationwide have stepped up efforts. At Changsha HiGreen agri-products logistics park in Hunan Province, the largest wholesale market in central China, deliveries of vegetables from Yunnan, Shandong, Guangdong and other regions start early each morning. Local specialties and a wide selection of leafy greens and fruiting vegetables fill the stalls.

The market supervisor said that vegetable trading has increased by nearly 30 percent recently, reaching a daily volume of 15,000 tonnes. With over 300 types of vegetables, they keep supply steady and diverse.

Fruit markets are also bustling. At the Hongxing Global Agricultural Wholesale Center in Changsha, the region's largest fruit trading hub, daily fruit sales average 13,000 tonnes, reaching close to 20,000 tonnes on peak days.

Meanwhile, seafood supplies are swelling along China's eastern coast. At major fishing ports in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, fishing boats have begun returning en masse with holiday catches.

"We brought in over 1,000 boxes of fish, including pomfret, hairtail, and mackerel. Prices are higher than previous years, and the fish are bigger too," said Wang Mai, boat owner.

At local seafood markets, the holiday shopping rush is in full swing as residents select from the day's fresh catch, preparing for festive meals.

Demand surges in China ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day holidays