China's exports of electromechanical products gain momentum

A domestically produced truck is loaded onto a vessel for export at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province, July 14, 2026. (Photo/Tang Ke)

From refrigerators and air conditioners to electric fans, photovoltaic products and excavators, Chinese electromechanical products are becoming an increasingly popular choice for consumers and businesses around the world.

China's foreign trade data show that exports of electromechanical products reached 9.36 trillion yuan ($1.38 trillion) in the first half of 2026, up 20.1 percent.

The products have also been drawing growing attention on international social media, with overseas users praising the practicality and user-friendly design of products ranging from portable fans to smart home appliances.

Behind overseas consumers' recognition lies the solid quality of Chinese products.

Zhejiang Aike Appliances Co., Ltd., a producer of hand dryers and soap dispensers, has steadily expanded its overseas presence with reliable products known for rapid drying and low noise, making them well suited to a wide range of public venues, including shopping malls, hospitals and transport hubs.

According to Zhang Zhengrong, assistant to the general manager of the company, the products are installed in landmark public venues worldwide, including the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Olympic venues in London. Exports account for 70 percent of the company's business, with total sales expected to grow by more than 10 percent this year.

Chinese companies' commitment to product quality is underpinned by China's vast industrial ecosystem.

Li Chao, foreign trade manager of Zhejiang Crossbow Brand Electric Appliance Co., Ltd., said the country's comprehensive supply chain allows the company to source everything from motors and printed circuit boards to sensors within the Yangtze River Delta, significantly boosting efficiency while reducing costs.

The company has introduced multifunctional bladeless fans that integrate air purification and heating. Compared with conventional models, bladeless fans are smaller, safer, easier to clean and more energy-efficient. New products such as its 360-degree bladeless air-purifying fan have driven export growth, with both export volume and value rising by nearly 20 percent year on year.

A worker assembles a batch of capacitors at the production workshop of Qidong Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo/Mei Jianguang)

Localized R&D and after-sales services have become just as important as product innovation in sustaining overseas growth.

China's home appliance giant Midea has embraced a "Local for Local" strategy, developing products around local consumer needs rather than simply adapting existing models.

According to Xiong Xueqin, sales director of Midea's Residential Air Conditioning (RAC) Europe Region, overseas demand remained strong in the first half of 2026, particularly for air conditioners. Shipments of its popular PortaSplit air conditioner exceeded 200,000 units, with another 160,000 units scheduled for production and delivery in July. The company now operates 65 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Construction machinery manufacturer Sunward Intelligent has strengthened its global competitiveness through products tailored to regional markets.

According to Hou Kai, head of the product management department at Sunward Intelligent's International Marketing Company, the company has developed skid steer loaders equipped with dedicated safety warning systems for the European market to enhance operational safety. For Africa, it has customized its SWE385F excavator for mining operations, with specialized configurations to handle muddy terrain and heavy sand accumulation.

Sunward Intelligent currently operates 26 overseas subsidiaries and spare-parts warehouses, supported by more than 300 dealers and partners worldwide. Its three-tier spare-parts network ensures rapid delivery of key components, while more than 2,000 service personnel provide around-the-clock technical support.

Yu Chenhua, an industry expert at Alibaba.com, said data show strong overseas sales for industrial products such as construction machinery, refrigeration and heat exchange equipment, machine tools, agricultural machinery, packaging machinery and environmental protection equipment. Consumer appliances are doing well too, including coffee makers, electric kettles, electric toothbrushes, multi-styler hair tools and carpet vacuum cleaners.

Customs support has also contributed to export growth.

A worker assembles air-source heat pumps for both heating and cooling at the factory of Aokol Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo/Li Yue)

Customs authorities across China have rolled out targeted trade facilitation measures tailored to local industries. In Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, streamlined customs clearance has helped home appliance manufacturers cope with surging export orders.

Experts said China's exports of electromechanical products grew at an average annual rate of about 8.4 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), well above the growth recorded during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).

As pro-business policies continue to take effect, the sector is poised to further strengthen its competitiveness through digital transformation, delivering greater benefits to consumers worldwide.