Meanwhile, shoppers overseas displayed strong purchasing power for Chinese-made intelligent tech products, driven by the robust growth of artificial intelligence, steep discounts and free shipping delivery services provided by e-commerce platforms.
JD said digital products such as smart robots and gaming laptops, kitchenware, AI-powered exoskeleton robots, household appliances and home furnishing products have gained in popularity among consumers abroad.
Chen Liteng, senior analyst at the Internet Economy Institute, a domestic consultancy, said with the deepening of globalization, overseas consumers are increasingly purchasing Chinese products, part of a broader shift from "made in China" to "intelligent manufacturing" and "created in China".
"Today, Chinese products are no longer confined to traditional daily necessities. Instead, they have expanded into high-tech sectors such as smartphones, electric vehicles and drones. At the same time, products that incorporate Chinese cultural elements — including hanfu, cultural and creative goods, and traditional handicrafts — are also becoming popular in international markets."
Chen Liteng noted that this trend is driven by multiple factors. First, China's manufacturing sector has undergone sustained upgrading, leading to marked improvements in product quality and innovation capacity. In addition, well-developed industrial ecosystems and highly efficient supply chains have given Chinese products advantages in terms of stability and cost competitiveness, while cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress have made it significantly easier for Chinese goods to reach global consumers.
"The growing popularity of products featuring traditional Chinese cultural elements overseas has, in turn, strengthened cultural confidence at home and stimulated a surge in cultural consumption, creating new growth drivers in the domestic market. As Chinese brands gain recognition in international markets, domestic consumers' confidence in and identification with homegrown brands also increase, with this sense of brand confidence translating directly into stronger purchasing intent," he added.
Pan Helin, a renowned economist and a member of the Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy, which is part of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said: "Chinese products have long been favored by global consumers for their strong value for money. The Spring Festival shopping season, which features one of the most concentrated discounts of the year, further amplifies this appeal."
At the same time, domestic consumers are increasingly purchasing products from around the world. By bringing a wider range of global goods — especially distinctive and specialty products — into the domestic market, retailers are able to broaden consumer choice, strengthen purchasing motivation and, in turn, stimulate consumption, he added.
