BUSINESS

Chinese Companies Pivot From Exports to Localized Growth, Report Says

Published: Jan. 10, 2026 4:42 a.m. GMT+8

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A worker assembles a vehicle frame on the production line at Zeekr’s electric car factory in Ningbo, May 29, 2025. Photo: VCG

Chinese companies are undergoing a strategic sea change in their approach to globalization, pivoting from simple exports to embedding themselves in local markets through deeply rooted operations abroad, a new report from management consultancy Roland Berger says.

The Jan. 8 report describes a shift in demand — from merely “going out” to actively “taking root” — as firms recalibrate their international ambitions amid rising geopolitical tensions, trade frictions and domestic growth plateaus.

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Chinese companies are shifting from export-led globalization to establishing deep, local operations abroad, aiming for long-term sustainability.
They face challenges like compliance, political risks, and the need to balance Chinese strengths with adaptation to diverse global markets.
Success now depends on integrating global resources, customizing offerings locally, maintaining brand integrity, and building flexible, globally integrated organizations.

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Who’s Who

Roland Berger: Roland Berger, a management consultancy, published a report on January 8 describing a strategic shift in Chinese companies' globalization efforts. The report highlights a move from simply exporting to establishing deeply rooted operations in local markets abroad. Roland Berger emphasizes that this new approach, termed "capability globalization," requires Chinese firms to adapt to complex international hurdles and build sustainable, long-term businesses by integrating their domestic strengths with global resources.

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