Chinese Manufacturing's Role in Olympics & Development Highlighted in Yiwu
In July 2024, Paris hosted the grand inauguration of the 33rd Summer Olympics. As the world watched, the event showcased athletes from various countries, as well as "made in China" products making a confident appearance on the international stage. The notion of "made in China" is steadily evolving into "intelligent manufacturing in China."
TroibNews 
**Editor's note**: Zhu Fangfei is the director and researcher at the Research Department of the Institute for Public Policy of Zhejiang University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.
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In July 2024, the 33rd Summer Olympics grandly opened in Paris. Under the global spotlight, people witnessed not only the fierce determination of athletes from various countries but also the confident march of "made in China" products onto the international stage.
A whirlwind of "Chinese intelligent manufacturing" is sweeping through Paris and the world.
### Yiwu: China's Manufacturing Hub
China stands as the world's manufacturing hub, and Yiwu is its central node. According to Yiwu customs data, the total import and export value in the first half of this year reached 324.77 billion yuan ($44.97 billion), a 20.8 percent year-on-year increase.
Specifically, exports were 288.03 billion yuan, up 21.4 percent year on year.
Exports of sports goods and equipment saw significant growth of 42.3 percent, with an export value of 5.02 billion yuan.
This year, notable sports events like the European Championship and the Olympics have fueled a global sports fervor.
Enabled by its vast product base and comprehensive industrial chain, Yiwu demonstrates robust capabilities for rapid production and delivery, allowing it to secure orders for multiple global events such as the Olympics.
Known as the "world's supermarket," Yiwu showcases the achievements of Chinese manufacturing since the country's reform and opening-up.
From small decorations to Olympic mascots and souvenirs all over Paris, to various sportswear, sports equipment, and digital screens at the Olympic venues, products labeled "made in China" and "made in Yiwu, China" are omnipresent.
### Evolution of Chinese Manufacturing
Yiwu provides a lens through which to view the growth of Chinese manufacturing.
Chinese manufacturing has evolved from small workshop-style processing to today's "smart" and "digital factories."
It has transitioned from OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with low value added to manufacturers of high-end products infused with technological innovation and vitality.
It has shifted from individual enterprises working independently to an industrial ecosystem model covering upstream and downstream design, manufacturing, sales, and export along the industrial chain.
China's manufacturing industry, represented by Yiwu's efforts, has continually iterated and upgraded, with independent brands emerging and achieving "high-quality overseas expansion."
Smart home appliances, new energy vehicles, and high-end professional equipment are shipped globally, marking an impressive transformation from the "world's factory."
For 14 consecutive years, China’s manufacturing sector has topped the world in terms of scale, occupying an important position in the global industrial division of labor and supply chain systems.
Simultaneously, the manufacturing sector is accelerating its transition towards high-end, intelligent, and green development.
"Made in China" is gradually transforming into "intelligent manufacturing in China," with significant elevations in the technological level and added value of products, placing Chinese products in the international spotlight.
At the Paris Olympics, sports mats used in judo and wrestling events were made in China. For example, the judo mats created by Taishan Sports incorporate smart chips and flexible piezoelectric film technology, allowing athletes and coaches to obtain relevant data such as force, speed, and movement trajectory based on their needs.
### How Manufacturing Helped Develop China
The transformation of China's manufacturing industry epitomizes the development of the Chinese economy.
After more than 40 years of reform and opening-up, China steadily ranks second in the world in terms of GDP, with per capita GDP exceeding 12,000 U.S. dollars and nationwide per capita disposable income close to 40,000 yuan.
The Chinese economy is hailed as a "growth miracle" among developing countries.
High-quality development of the manufacturing sector has anchored the rapid development of the Chinese economy.
According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, in the first half of the year, the added value of major industrial enterprises nationwide grew by 6 percent year on year, with the value of the manufacturing sector rising by 6.5 percent, outpacing overall industrial growth by 0.5 percentage point.
The added value of the equipment manufacturing industry and the high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 7.8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, faster than the overall industrial growth by 1.8 and 2.7 percentage points.
As China's manufacturing develops amid adjustment and transformation, the economy is bursting with new vitality in the process of reform and opening-up.
It has expanded and strengthened, achieving all-around leaps in scale, efficiency, technology, and innovation.
### New Era Brings New Opportunities & New Markets
Today, the new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation coincides with China's shift to high-quality economic development, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Amid significant global changes and increasingly close economic and trade ties, the new force of Chinese manufacturing, represented by "made in Yiwu," will embark on a new journey, deeply engaging in global economic development and sharing the fruits of China's economic reforms with the world.
In events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Chengdu Universiade, the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Paris Olympics, Yiwu has consistently seized opportunities, gaining global market favor.
Chinese manufacturing has repeatedly taken the international stage, establishing the China brand.
Chinese industries have continually transformed and upgraded, with numerous Chinese brands going global and moving from emerging markets to developed countries, allowing the world to rediscover China.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
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In July 2024, the 33rd Summer Olympics grandly opened in Paris. Under the global spotlight, people witnessed not only the fierce determination of athletes from various countries but also the confident march of "made in China" products onto the international stage.
A whirlwind of "Chinese intelligent manufacturing" is sweeping through Paris and the world.
### Yiwu: China's Manufacturing Hub
China stands as the world's manufacturing hub, and Yiwu is its central node. According to Yiwu customs data, the total import and export value in the first half of this year reached 324.77 billion yuan ($44.97 billion), a 20.8 percent year-on-year increase.
Specifically, exports were 288.03 billion yuan, up 21.4 percent year on year.
Exports of sports goods and equipment saw significant growth of 42.3 percent, with an export value of 5.02 billion yuan.
This year, notable sports events like the European Championship and the Olympics have fueled a global sports fervor.
Enabled by its vast product base and comprehensive industrial chain, Yiwu demonstrates robust capabilities for rapid production and delivery, allowing it to secure orders for multiple global events such as the Olympics.
Known as the "world's supermarket," Yiwu showcases the achievements of Chinese manufacturing since the country's reform and opening-up.
From small decorations to Olympic mascots and souvenirs all over Paris, to various sportswear, sports equipment, and digital screens at the Olympic venues, products labeled "made in China" and "made in Yiwu, China" are omnipresent.
### Evolution of Chinese Manufacturing
Yiwu provides a lens through which to view the growth of Chinese manufacturing.
Chinese manufacturing has evolved from small workshop-style processing to today's "smart" and "digital factories."
It has transitioned from OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with low value added to manufacturers of high-end products infused with technological innovation and vitality.
It has shifted from individual enterprises working independently to an industrial ecosystem model covering upstream and downstream design, manufacturing, sales, and export along the industrial chain.
China's manufacturing industry, represented by Yiwu's efforts, has continually iterated and upgraded, with independent brands emerging and achieving "high-quality overseas expansion."
Smart home appliances, new energy vehicles, and high-end professional equipment are shipped globally, marking an impressive transformation from the "world's factory."
For 14 consecutive years, China’s manufacturing sector has topped the world in terms of scale, occupying an important position in the global industrial division of labor and supply chain systems.
Simultaneously, the manufacturing sector is accelerating its transition towards high-end, intelligent, and green development.
"Made in China" is gradually transforming into "intelligent manufacturing in China," with significant elevations in the technological level and added value of products, placing Chinese products in the international spotlight.
At the Paris Olympics, sports mats used in judo and wrestling events were made in China. For example, the judo mats created by Taishan Sports incorporate smart chips and flexible piezoelectric film technology, allowing athletes and coaches to obtain relevant data such as force, speed, and movement trajectory based on their needs.
### How Manufacturing Helped Develop China
The transformation of China's manufacturing industry epitomizes the development of the Chinese economy.
After more than 40 years of reform and opening-up, China steadily ranks second in the world in terms of GDP, with per capita GDP exceeding 12,000 U.S. dollars and nationwide per capita disposable income close to 40,000 yuan.
The Chinese economy is hailed as a "growth miracle" among developing countries.
High-quality development of the manufacturing sector has anchored the rapid development of the Chinese economy.
According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, in the first half of the year, the added value of major industrial enterprises nationwide grew by 6 percent year on year, with the value of the manufacturing sector rising by 6.5 percent, outpacing overall industrial growth by 0.5 percentage point.
The added value of the equipment manufacturing industry and the high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 7.8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, faster than the overall industrial growth by 1.8 and 2.7 percentage points.
As China's manufacturing develops amid adjustment and transformation, the economy is bursting with new vitality in the process of reform and opening-up.
It has expanded and strengthened, achieving all-around leaps in scale, efficiency, technology, and innovation.
### New Era Brings New Opportunities & New Markets
Today, the new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation coincides with China's shift to high-quality economic development, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Amid significant global changes and increasingly close economic and trade ties, the new force of Chinese manufacturing, represented by "made in Yiwu," will embark on a new journey, deeply engaging in global economic development and sharing the fruits of China's economic reforms with the world.
In events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Chengdu Universiade, the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Paris Olympics, Yiwu has consistently seized opportunities, gaining global market favor.
Chinese manufacturing has repeatedly taken the international stage, establishing the China brand.
Chinese industries have continually transformed and upgraded, with numerous Chinese brands going global and moving from emerging markets to developed countries, allowing the world to rediscover China.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
