With the arrival of the Chinese New Year Dragon, the festive mood has intensified around the globe. A recent viral video shows a foreign shopper stocking up on Chinese New Year items, while a British woman praised a Chinese brand electric car as a New Year’s gift idea for her brother.
Data from Alibaba, a major Chinese group operating a cross-border e-commerce platform, reveals growing demand for items that feature Dragon imagery and Spring Festival symbols. Red envelopes, paper-cut window decorations, Chinese knots, and allegorical couplets are seeing heightened interest, along with Chinese New Year blind boxes. Domestic fashion brands report strong sales across more than 100 countries.
The wave of Chinese goods reaching international markets underscores a central question: what drives this success?
For consumers, quality remains the decisive factor. Take electric vehicles as an example. Since the Solar New Year, there has been a notable upsurge in orders for electric tricycles from China, driven by American shoppers ordering through e-commerce platforms. These compact, efficient vehicles align with the needs of rural Europe and the United States, as well as the narrow streets of some European towns, making them surprisingly popular among local users. Made in China products stand out for practicality, reliability, and mature technology, which are supported by long-standing industry and supply chain strengths.
Beyond product quality, the shopping experience matters. Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao recently highlighted a Vietnamese resident who ordered a 2.5-liter electric kettle from a Chinese e-commerce company and found the shipping cost remarkably lower than in Vietnam. This indicates how China’s logistics capabilities and proactive cross-border e-commerce initiatives translate into tangible savings for buyers. In 2023, Chinese e-commerce platforms occupied a sizable portion of the list of the ten most downloaded global shopping apps, illustrating their broad reach.
Value for money, ease of shopping, and human-centered, intelligent experiences have earned trust among foreign consumers. Vanessa, a South African homemaker, expresses appreciation for a smart refrigerator introduced by a Chinese home appliance company. The appliance not only helps track expiry dates but also suggests meal ideas and shopping lists, showcasing how connected devices can simplify daily living.
International admiration for Chinese goods extends beyond product performance to the unique cultural value embedded in the items. From non-heritage handicrafts and the qipao (cheongsam) to tea and wine brands that appear on global stages, Chinese products carry a cultural narrative. The enduring legacy of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization infuses national products with a sense of harmony, diversity, beauty, and coexistence. This cultural dimension resonates with many buyers and keeps Chinese goods in steady international demand.
The influence of traditional Chinese culture remains a deep-seated driver of product appeal. Chinese goods have gained traction globally not only because of quality but also because of their cultural resonance. This trend supports vibrant world trade and contributes to economic development while fostering cross-cultural understanding. By sharing a positive cultural presence, Chinese products reinforce a sense of constructive exchange among civilizations on the world stage.