Electric vehicles are displayed in front of a BYD 4S dealership in Canberra, Australia, on April 8, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese firms are entering a new phase of global expansion, shifting from exporting products to building overseas supply chains and expanding capabilities, reflecting a more mature and diversified global strategy, industry experts said.
Ning Loh, managing director and head of global credit strategy at Moody's Ratings, said: "Chinese companies have developed strong manufacturing capabilities with cost advantages and very deep and developed domestic supply chains. The country is moving away from lower-value exports to a much broader global strategy around technology and Chinese brands."
Loh said the latest wave of Chinese outbound direct investment has been "more strategic, selective and diversified", as companies are expanding overseas to offset slowly recovering domestic demand, mitigate geopolitical and tariff risks and internationalize their supply chains, production capacity and technologies.
Unlike earlier waves of outbound investment, which centered on securing natural resources and pursuing large mergers and acquisitions in developed markets, today's investments are closely tied to supply chain security, clean energy, advanced technologies and critical minerals, he added.
