China's intelligent connected vehicle supply chain, represented by automotive chips, smart driving algorithms and full-vehicle artificial intelligence (AI) technology, has risen rapidly.
Competition in intelligent connected vehicles is underpinned by chip computing power and algorithm models. Xu Jian, executive director and chief ecosystem officer of Horizon Robotics, said the company's computing architecture has gone through three generations of iteration, with computing performance increasing several hundredfold over the past decade and cumulative chip shipments reaching 15 million units.
"Undoubtedly, China is leading the world in intelligent connected vehicles, especially in intelligent driving. We have sufficient market demand and policy support, which has driven rapid development across the entire industry," Xu said.
Technological breakthroughs in the upstream supply chain have also provided strong support for automakers' intelligent development. AI and on-board large models are reshaping the technological foundation of vehicles.
One automaker has mass-produced an omni AI system that coordinates intelligent driving, the cockpit, the chassis, and power systems, turning AI-driven vehicle manufacturing from concept into reality.
"Our omni AI is not simply about stacking up functions. Through this central brain, we can coordinate all areas of the whole vehicle -- achieving not just single-point intelligence, but whole-vehicle intelligence," said Li Chuanhai, president of the Automobile Research Institute of Geely, one of China's leading new energy vehicle manufacturers.
The number of Chinese companies among the world's top 100 automotive parts suppliers has grown from one in 2013 to 17 today, while China's intelligent connected new energy vehicles have advanced from single-point technological breakthroughs to systematic leaps.
China’s intelligent connected vehicle supply chain grows rapidly
"China Haul" -- a trend of foreign tourists opening their suitcases on social media to show off the Chinese goods they bought during trips to China -- has recently gone viral overseas.
Some joke that "China Haul" sounds like "China good" in Chinese, a fitting description for leisure trips to the country, since tourists often arrive with empty suitcases and leave with them fully stuffed, proving that made-in-China products are indeed good.
Opening a suitcase to show off purchases made in China is one of the most popular ways German tourists share their trips. Alexander Haase has traveled to Beijing four times over the past year, and buying Chinese tech products has been a must every time. His suitcase reads like a continuously updated list of Chinese tech products.
"In the past 12 months alone, I've been to China four times. What I bought are mostly high-tech products. For example, I bought a Huawei laptop, and AI glasses. In short, all the latest high-tech products," said Haase.
Haase's shopping list directly reflects the popularity of Chinese tech products among German tourists. Having visited China many times over more than two decades, he has witnessed not only the iteration of products but also the overall upgrading of the urban environment and digital infrastructure.
For him, buying tech products in China is no longer a side activity but an indispensable part of the trip. This change is also appearing among more German tourists.
German travel industry insiders have also observed that China's appeal to young people has moved beyond traditional sightseeing of historic sites; experiencing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots up close is becoming a new reason to visit China.
"The development of China's high and new technologies is a very important element attracting young people from abroad. For example, robots spark their greater interest in learning more about China. Thanks to the visa-free policy, young German tour groups can travel to China at any time, just as they please," said Tang Huiying, general manager of a German youth travel agency.
According to German travel industry insiders, German tourists visiting China in 2026 are expected to reach between 500,000 to 600,000. For frequent travelers like Wolfgang Bednarek, who has visited China many times, China's charm is not one-dimensional but a comprehensive appeal formed by the combination of multiple experiences.
"I have traveled all over the world, but I have to say that in my heart, China is the most impressive country. China not only has a unique culture and diverse geographical features, but the people there are also a highlight -- an absolute highlight," said Bednarek.
German tourists embrace Chinese high-tech goods, fueling "China Haul" trend online
