Fearing for Their Lives, Europeans Rush to Buy Chinese Products... Chinese Factories Overwhelmed

Surging Orders Keep Factories Running Non-Stop
Ice Cream Makers and Pet Products Also in High Demand

Following Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and now even Northern Europe, record-breaking temperatures have continued for several days, reaching around 40 degrees Celsius. Amid these unprecedented heatwaves, Chinese-made cooling products are attracting significant attention. Chinese media outlets are also highlighting this phenomenon, publishing numerous reports on the subject every day.

On July 5, Chinese media outlet China News Service reported, "As demand for cooling devices across Europe has exploded, there is even a joke going around that 'smoke is coming out of the sewing machines' in Chinese factories."

As Chinese-made cooling devices gain popularity worldwide, local Chinese media outlets are also focusing their coverage on this trend. China CCTV

European Air Conditioner Exports Soar by an Astonishing 72.8%

An NGO is delivering water amid a heatwave in Valencia, Spain. Photo by Reuters.

Chinese companies, which account for about 40% of global air conditioner exports, are dramatically ramping up production and shipping as orders from Europe surge. According to reports, from January to May this year, the number of air conditioners exported from China to Western European countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Belgium more than doubled compared to the same period last year. In June alone, exports of air conditioners to Europe skyrocketed by a remarkable 72.8%.

According to reports, a home appliance company in Guangdong Province is now running its factory at full capacity to produce portable split air conditioners specifically for export to Europe. These products are designed to bypass building regulations in some European countries that restrict the installation of outdoor units, making them especially popular. A representative of the company stated, "Last year, our annual sales were about 80,000 units, and this year, sales through distributor channels alone have already surpassed 200,000 units."

Another home appliance factory in Zhejiang Province is also operating without pause. They are known for air conditioners that can be used immediately by simply unboxing, with the product capable of lowering the ambient temperature to 16 degrees Celsius within just three minutes of operation. A company representative said, "Our production schedule is fully booked until the end of August," and added, "Total export data for the first half of this year is expected to be about 23% higher than last year."

Factories Running Nonstop... 'As if Smoke Is Coming from the Sewing Machines'

As Chinese-made air conditioning devices gain worldwide popularity, local Chinese media outlets are focusing on and reporting extensively about this trend. China CCTV

It is not just air conditioner sales that are surging. The popularity of fan hats—hats with built-in fans—has led to the expression that 'smoke is coming out of the sewing machines.' A factory representative said, "Orders are pouring in from all over the world, and our order volume is fully booked through August." They added, "These are sometimes called 'walking mini air conditioners,' and since they are solar-powered, there is no need to worry about batteries. We expect sales to surpass 500,000 units this year."

Folding fans are also experiencing peak demand. Liu Xiaoying, who operates a fan business, reported a flood of custom orders from Europe, adding that folding fans printed with images of the Eiffel Tower were recently shipped urgently by air to Paris, France.

'Unique' Cooling Products in the Spotlight

At another manufacturing plant in Zhejiang Province, production is in full swing for home-use ice cream makers. A company representative said, "This is a product we launched for the first time this year, and since March, we have already exported 48,000 units," noting that orders from countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain are pouring in.

Cooling products for pets are also receiving a hot response. Mr. Guo, who runs a pet supply store, said, "A new 'pet toy' released this year is very popular," reporting that monthly sales of a product designed for pets to play with in the water have surpassed 30,000 units. Order volume has increased by more than 20% compared to last year, and the main export destinations are Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

Pan Yuanyuan, a researcher at the National Institute for Global Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, analyzed the secret behind the global appeal of Chinese manufacturing: "It is because Chinese companies closely monitor the actual needs of global consumers and quickly capture market information." She added, "China's robust industrial infrastructure, supply chains, and efficient logistics networks are the driving force behind their ability to provide high-value products," and stated, "In this era of high inflation, Chinese-made products are providing practical help to consumers worldwide by reducing household spending."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.