MNC execs eye business expansion in China

Q3 DeepSeek has been a buzzword and surprised the world starting this year. AI technology has been deeply integrated with various industries around the world. What opportunities do you foresee for your business from AI technology? What's your view on China's ability to sustain innovation in breakthrough technologies in the coming years?

MA: AI technology has a wide range of applications in the automotive industry and vehicle intelligence has always been a key focus of Nissan's strategy.

Nissan has been deeply connected with China for over 50 years and has witnessed and participated in the development of China's automotive industry. In the past, we introduced technologies and products from our global portfolio to the China market. Now, we are shifting toward making technological innovation that begins in China. Our joint venture partner, Dongfeng Nissan, has embraced "China speed" by becoming one of the earliest automakers to integrate AI technology into a real-world vehicle.

Moving forward, we hope that more technological achievements will benefit not only the China market, but also markets worldwide.

YIN: As a leading digital technology, AI is reshaping the industrial landscape. AI will accelerate industrial transformation, not only improving efficiency, but also promoting sustainable development, and will provide a powerful tool for building new quality productive forces.

At Schneider Electric, we believe that AI technology must be deeply integrated with industry scenarios to form professional solutions and create value across various sectors. On the one hand, we are actively exploring the deep integration of AI technology with industry scenarios, actively deploying AI technology in our own production and operations, improving operational efficiency, and promoting sustainable development. On the other hand, Schneider Electric actively empowers upstream and downstream partners with AI technologies and application experience to jointly enhance the AI application capabilities of the industrial chain.

AN: China has firmly established itself as one of the global leaders in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence. The rapid advancements in AI demonstrate the country's strong commitment to innovation and digital transformation. Looking ahead, China's strong commitment to driving innovation and technological progress will continue to create new opportunities in the coming years. At Henkel, we are confident in the market's potential and remain dedicated to working alongside our customers to drive technological advancements and industry growth. Through close collaboration and continuous investment, we aim to contribute to the sustainable and high-quality development of AI-driven industries.

CHEN: China's AI-driven advancements are transforming industries, injecting momentum into the fast-moving consumer goods sector, and creating new opportunities for growth and efficiency. At Unilever, harnessing AI-driven digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate business growth is a key pillar of our business strategy under the "Accelerate" framework. For example, we recently pioneered the FTC (Factory-to-Consumer) digital logistics model, optimizing supply chain efficiency and responsiveness to enhance the consumer shopping experience. Additionally, we are ramping up our digital investment in social media, ensuring greater agility and engagement across both established and high-growth platforms.