China Remains a Source of Opportunity for Global Companies

BEIJING - As the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens in Shanghai this week, it will welcome 4,142 overseas exhibitors from around the world. For the first time, more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders will participate, while over 2,000 companies will make their debut at the expo.

These numbers point to more than the appeal of a single event. As protectionism rises and uncertainty clouds the global economy, one question stands out: Why do international businesses remain committed to the Chinese market?

The answer lies not in any single advantage, but in the combination of a resilient economy, an extensive industrial ecosystem and growing opportunities for innovation. Together, these strengths make China not only a vast market for global companies, but also a place where they can build partnerships, innovate and grow.

A vast market with momentum

For businesses planning years ahead, economic stability matters. In the first three quarters of 2026, China's economy expanded 4.6 percent year on year, with GDP exceeding 107 trillion yuan, adding 5.7 trillion yuan in output, the largest increase for the same period in the past five years. And new growth drivers contributed more than 40 percent to economic growth during the period, according to preliminary estimates from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The figures reflect both China's economic resilience and the growing role of industrial upgrading and technological progress in driving growth. For multinational companies, China remains a key destination that boasts a stable market and great growth potential.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, China's foreign direct investment (FDI) equity stock reached 26.8 trillion yuan (about 4 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025, ranking second globally and marking six consecutive years of growth.

At the 2026 China International Supply Chain Expo, Honeywell brought together nearly 100 Chinese partners to showcase products across sectors including semiconductors, energy storage, data centers and intelligent manufacturing.