From energy-saving air conditioners to industrial robots, innovative products are powering China's export growth and defying global trade headwinds and rising protectionism.

In the first half of this year, total imports and exports topped 3.69 trillion U.S. dollars.

Scorching heat has gripped many European countries, prompting high demands for cooling products.

At an air conditioner factory in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, a large order from France is keeping the production lines busy.
"European orders are surging. Just days ago, we took an urgent order from France for 70,000 units," said Zheng Guangxiang, technical lead at the Jiaozhou Factory of Haier Air Conditioner, a major home appliance producer in China.

To handle the rush, the production lines quickly switched models, while the company also redesigned its entire air conditioner lineup for Europe to meet stricter green standards.

"It can save 42 percent more electricity than a standard unit in the same room over the same period," said Xu Kaixuan, business lead of Haier Air Conditioner Hungary Market.

Customs data shows that in the first half of 2026, China's exports of cooling home appliances, including air conditioners, fans and refrigerators, reached about 15 billion U.S. dollars.

Beyond these traditional goods, some "new faces" have also delivered stunning performances overseas, including robots, artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative drugs -- considered the "new trio" of China's future industries.

At a newly opened factory in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, orders for a robotic sweeper are booked through December, with half coming from overseas markets.

"Our planned production capacity is set to reach 7.5 million units," said Li Jiang, production manager of the Smart Manufacturing Center of Ecovacs, a Chinese service robotics firm.

In Suzhou's Wuzhou District alone, there are more than 1,600 robotics and smart-manufacturing firms.

The area also attracts top talent. Engineers from radar, sensor and casing suppliers work together on product upgrades, improving navigation, endurance and efficiency.

Customs data shows that in the first half of the year, China's exports of cleaning and bionic robots reached 2.67 billion dollars. Industrial robot exports hit 928 million dollars, a year-on-year increase of 18.6 percent, with shipments to more than 140 countries.