China giving MNCs strategic forte
Multinational executives share how China is evolving from a market to an innovation and growth hub, offsetting the 'China Shock 2.0' narrative with 'China Opportunity 2.0'.
China Giving MNCs Strategic Forte
Ahead of the release of China's first-half 2026 economic data, *China Daily* invited chief executives and senior leaders from key multinational companies to share their perspectives on the world's second-largest economy. Their insights go beyond short-term growth, offering a closer look at the evolving "China Opportunity 2.0" narrative amid ongoing debate over the so-called "China Shock 2.0".
Everllence: Green Innovation and Policy Certainty
Prasannan, a senior executive at Everllence, highlighted that China is a key market for green innovation, industrial-chain collaboration, and global net-zero solutions. He pointed to China's policy direction, continued opening-up, and vast industrial demand as strong positive signals. Despite a delayed International Maritime Organization Net-Zero Framework review, China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) offers rare policy certainty. Joint milestones include CMD's record-setting methanol engine and Everllence's 2,000th dual-fuel engine order with COSCO Shipping Lines.
Payoneer: From Market to Innovation Source
Cheng, representing Payoneer, observed that China is no longer simply a market for global companies to enter; it is increasingly becoming a source of innovation and global growth. Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises are moving beyond selling products overseas to building businesses across multiple markets, creating new demand for global payments, compliance, technology, and professional services. For Payoneer, China has become a strategic hub for product innovation and ecosystem building, exemplifying "China Opportunity 2.0".
Evonik: Integrated Platform for Innovation
Xia from Evonik noted that China has become an integrated platform where innovation, infrastructure, talent, and industrial ecosystems create opportunities for global companies. In the first half of 2026, Evonik brought several important projects into operation in China, including a hydrogen peroxide plant in Leshan, specialty amine production expansion in Nanjing, an AEM technology center for green hydrogen, and an Asia Beauty Science & Innovation Center in Shanghai. These projects reflect confidence in China's market potential and its role as a source of innovation.
AkzoNobel: Core Innovation Hub
Yin of AkzoNobel emphasized that China's vast market serves as a natural testbed and incubator for technological innovation, fostering technical cooperation and industrial chain synergy. AkzoNobel views China as both a core innovation hub and a critical engine for global growth. The company adheres to the principle "Innovate in China, for China, share globally," expanding its local R&D footprint to address domestic market needs while benefiting global businesses.
These perspectives collectively illustrate that China is evolving from a low-cost manufacturing base into a strategic forte for multinational corporations, offering new opportunities in innovation, sustainability, and global market integration.