by Xinhua writer Hong Zehua

GUANGZHOU, March 9 (Xinhua) -- As the Year of the Dragon began, a wave of business rejuvenation swept across China. To gauge the economic pulse, I explored various companies in Guangdong, renowned as the foreign trade hub, engaging in conversations over tea with business personnel to understand the recent developments and aspirations.

To my surprise, I encountered extended waiting times for my appointments. Despite the early stage of the year, numerous business managers have been either out of the province or abroad attending business meetings and conferences.

"I've been incredibly busy lately. I am either attending exhibitions or traveling to visit clients," said Li Yongtai, a business manager and an acquaintance of mine.

Frequent business travel has become commonplace once again among business people in the foreign trade sector, according to Wei Wenwu, director of sales at an electronics company. He noted that he visited around 20 countries and regions in 2023.

Amidst international geopolitical turbulence and a global economic downturn, the challenges faced by foreign trade companies in Guangdong in recent years are greater than before. Shrinking orders and reduced earnings are pushing some factories to the brink of closure, especially in a province renowned for manufacturing and foreign trade.

In such a challenging environment, sales teams should proactively focus on retaining existing customers and exploring lucrative markets, said Xing Xuehong, who works for an international freight agency. "Going out opens the door to discovering more opportunities."

As a fundamental strategy of China's reform and opening-up policy, "going global" has become a widely adopted approach for enterprises to expand sales and explore global markets.

Companies are also striving to enhance their product quality and competitiveness through technological research and development.

At Guangzhou International Bio Island, a gathering of the city's biomedical science companies and labs, I had the opportunity to ride a self-driving bus developed by WeRide, an autonomous driving company headquartered in Guangzhou.

During the 20-minute ride, the bus demonstrated its features by strictly adhering to traffic light signals and promptly responding to pedestrians crossing the road. Outfitted with advanced technologies like radar, motion sensors, cameras, etc., it seems well-prepared to operate effectively in bustling city centers.

Throughout its six-year history, the company has consistently prioritized investment in research and development. This substantial commitment to technology has garnered widespread market recognition, with autonomous driving tests and operations now conducted in 30 cities across six countries.

"To invest in technology is to invest in the future," said Huang Yehua, vice president of government affairs at WeRide.

Industries are also increasingly focused on adapting to meet market demands. In recent years, Guangdong has excelled in exporting "new three" products -- new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products -- recognized as high-tech and environmentally friendly.

According to data, China exported 4.91 million vehicles in 2023, marking a 57.9 percent increase over the previous year. Additionally, 1.2 million new energy vehicles were exported, representing a 77.6 percent year-on-year rise. Guangdong's exports of "new three" products surged by 33.9 percent last year.

The export of the "new three" not only propels business growth but also paves the way for green development. Sun Bin, deputy general manager of a solar panel company in Guangzhou, said the company will continue to increase R&D investment, prioritize product quality, and contribute to the green transformation.

During my visits, several managers spoke about their preparations for the upcoming Canton Fair in April. Officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, this event has been held biannually since 1957 and stands as one of the most prominent foreign trade fairs in China and globally.

The Canton Fair serves as a platform not only for international buyers to seek out high-end goods and suppliers but also for manufacturers to gauge the demands of the international market, thus enhancing their products, said Liu Xin, manager of a foreign trade agency.

Inspired by the dedication and zeal of foreign trade companies, I am also eagerly looking forward to the upcoming fair. It promises to be a dynamic convergence of innovation and opportunity, where passion meets progress. Enditem

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