From humble beginnings selling belts, lighters and shoes in Wenzhou’s bustling markets, local entrepreneurs have powered the Chinese mainland’s private economy onto the world stage. 🚀
In the 1980s and 90s, Wenzhou pioneers took their first leap overseas, establishing trading networks from Southeast Asia to Europe. Fast-forward to today, and these business dynamos are driving innovation in the new energy sector, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart manufacturing—fields that shape our daily lives, from the smartphone in your hand to the electric scooters zipping through Jakarta’s streets. ⚡🤖
CGTN’s digital reporter Wang Tao sat down with these trailblazers for a cross-border chat, uncovering how they’ve adapted to global trends. Think of it like turning a simple belt into a high-tech supply chain: they’ve scaled up, integrated AI for quality control and embraced green tech to reduce carbon footprints—an epic glow-up if you ask us! 🌱🔧
This Wenzhou story mirrors a larger trend across the Chinese mainland’s private sector: companies are no longer just local suppliers, but global challengers. From smart factories in Shenzhen to autonomous vehicle labs in Shanghai, the next wave of innovation is powered by these entrepreneurial vibes. Young pros across South and Southeast Asia can take notes on blending tradition with tech-forward thinking—your own startup spark could be next! 💡🌍
As these Wenzhou founders show, success starts with bold moves and a global mindset. Whether you’re coding AI bots in Kuala Lumpur or designing solar panels in Mumbai, the road from local hustle to worldwide impact is open. Ready to join the ride? 🚗💨
Reference(s):
From Wenzhou to the world: Driving China's private economy forward
cgtn.com
