MNC execs eye business expansion in China

Q2 "New quality productive forces "is widely seen as key to helping China achieve industrial upgrade and "high-quality development". How can your company help cultivate such forces in China?

MA: China is heavily investing in what it dubs "new quality productive forces", with an emphasis on the automotive sector. In particular, we are seeing the integration of new energy and intelligent vehicles emerging as an area of special priority, backed by supportive government policies.

Nissan has accumulated extensive practical experience in cultivating new quality productive forces and we have made electrification and vehicle intelligence a strategic focus, accelerating product innovation through our own technological advancements while strengthening the cooperation with ecosystem partners.

It goes beyond just one individual innovation in technology or products. In China, Nissan has established a full-value-chain business layout, covering cutting-edge technology R&D, vehicle design, manufacturing, sales and services, mobility services (such as Robotaxi), and parts export, etc.

YIN: For Schneider Electric, the concept of new quality productive forces underscores the development of "digital productivity" and "green productivity". It calls on all industries to expedite technological innovation and application, driving the "dual transformation" toward digitalization and decarbonization. Technological innovation stands as the primary driver of new quality productive forces. To this end, Schneider Electric continues to strengthen its innovation capabilities. Under the "China Hub" strategy, we have been constantly increasing our R&D investment in China with a series of world-class R&D institutions established in recent years to provide innovative technical support for industrial upgrading and energy transition.

AN: China's high-quality development and new quality productive forces have further shaped the country's development blueprint, strengthening our confidence in its long-term growth.

In 2024, Henkel increased investments to capitalize on these opportunities. Our Asia R&D Center for Henkel Consumer Brands, valued at 100 million yuan ($13.7 million), opened in Shanghai and is designed to drive local product innovation in the consumer goods sector. In the industrial sector, Henkel's 900 million yuan "Kunpeng" plant is progressing and is expected to begin test production in March, enhancing our ability to supply high-end adhesives for industries such as electronics and automotive. Additionally, we are set to launch our new Inspiration Center for Adhesive Technologies this year, further boosting our innovation capabilities for industrial businesses across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

CHEN: Unilever fully supports China's drive to cultivate new quality productive forces, recognizing that innovation is key to industrial upgrades and high-quality development. By leveraging ongoing digital transformation, we enhance operational efficiency across our eight production bases and logistics centers in China — three of which have been recognized by the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network for leadership in smart and sustainable manufacturing.

In parallel, Unilever was among the first multinational companies to establish a global R&D center in China, launching its sixth global R&D center in Shanghai in 2009. Moving forward, we will continue strengthening our local R&D capabilities, driving further innovation and delivering high-quality products tailored to Chinese consumers.