Found these China market insights valuable? Share this newsletter with your colleagues and subscribe to get weekly updates on China's latest consumer stories, delivered straight to your inbox.China Flexes Tech Muscle at CES 2025
China maintains its position as the second-largest presence at CES 2025 with 1,339 companies attending the show — up by over 100 from last year — trailing only the US (1,509 companies), despite ongoing tech tensions between the two countries. While China solidifies its standing as a global tech power, South Korean firms are mounting an aggressive challenge, jumping 34% to 1,031 companies and closing the gap. The Consumer Technology Association awarded 129 South Korean firms a total of 165 awards, with the American firms winning 60, and the Chinese companies with 16 and Japan 15.
Chinese Robotics, AR and EV Shine at CES 2025
Robotics, augmented reality (AR) glasses, electric vehicles, and smart home appliances dominated Chinese tech displays at CES 2025. Standout innovations included Unitree's humanoid robots featuring 43-joint motor flexibility, Xreal's AR glasses with 57-degree field view, and Xpeng's modular flying car that combines an electric minivan with a detachable aircraft. Traditional powerhouses Hisense and TCL showcased AI-driven smart TVs and new Smart City technologies, though major tech giants ByteDance, Tencent, and Huawei were absent from the event.
U.S.-China Tension Complicates Global Tech Scene
Major Chinese tech giants Huawei, ByteDance, Tencent, and Baidu notably skipped CES 2025. While smaller Chinese firms and startups maintained strong participation at the show, U.S. sanctions and visa restrictions have fundamentally altered Chinese representation, with many companies now downplaying their Chinese headquarters, and many had to hire local representatives to staff their booths. This tech decoupling is set to continue. Last week, the U.S. launched its IoT security labeling program - similar to the Energy Star initiative - signaling intensified scrutiny of connected devices and further complicating Chinese tech companies' access to the U.S. market.
China Boosts Tech with New Round of Subsidies
China has allocated 81 billion yuan for its first round of consumer electronics trade-in subsidies in 2025, with over 25 provinces and cities already implementing local incentive programs. Major smartphone makers Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo are actively participating, while e-commerce platforms JD.com and Suning have prepared trade-in systems to handle the subsidies. Supply chain companies report sufficient production capacity to meet expected demand increases, with industry experts predicting the subsidies will particularly benefit domestic smartphone manufacturers in the mid-range market segment and accelerate the upgrade cycle for Chinese consumers.
BYD Chases Tesla Crown
BYD has emerged as Tesla's most formidable challenger, narrowing the global EV sales gap to just 24,000 units in 2024 and overtaking Tesla in quarterly deliveries for the first time in Q4. While Tesla recorded its first-ever annual decline with 1.79 million deliveries, BYD's pure electric sales surged 12% to 1.76 million units. The Chinese automaker's momentum, particularly visible in Tesla's 4% sales drop in China, suggests BYD could claim the global EV sales crown in 2025 if current trends continue, forcing Tesla to pivot toward AI and robotaxis for future growth.
People's Park is a newsletter that offers unique insights into China's dynamic market - the world's second largest economy. Founded and edited by Frank Ye of Brands Without Borders Ltd., the publication weaves together perspectives from journalism, anthropology, marketing, e-commerce, and branding to help readers navigate and understand China's rapidly evolving business landscape. Subscribe here:
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