"Made in China" was the undisputed mantra of the country’s rise. Today, however, a profound structural migration is underway. Following a landmark directive from China’s State Council, Beijing has formally mapped out an audacious future: a services economy projected to surpass ¥100 trillion (approximately $14 trillion) by 2030. This signals a decisive move away from a hardware-driven growth model toward a "China Service" era defined by intelligence, technology, and global standards.

The transition is already visible in the data. In the first quarter of 2026, services accounted for 61.7% of China’s GDP growth, signalling that the shift from a manufacturing-heavy economy to a high-value service hub is no longer a future projection - it is a current reality.

Factory brains

The first pillar of this strategy is the extension of "Producer Services" toward specialisation and the high end of the value chain. China recognises that the future of manufacturing lies not in assembly, but in the "industrial brain" behind it.

The science and technology hubs of Beijing, Shanghai, and the Greater Bay Area are serving as high-velocity engines for this shift, catalysing breakthroughs in robotics, drones, and general-purpose Large Language Models (LLMs). By integrating these frontier technologies into the core of producer services, China is moving beyond traditional consulting toward an "automated expertise" model that optimises industrial design, smart logistics, and predictive maintenance across the global supply chain.

For example, in the realm of tech-enabled services, the "Qi Yuan" model has transformed AI from a linguistic tool into a digitalised attending physician at the ICU bedside. Developed by Shenzhen-based medical giant Mindray and tech titan Tencent, Qi Yuan is the world’s first LLM clinically implemented for critical care. This shift toward high-end, specialised services is the engine driving the Chinese industry toward the apex of the global value chain.

  Quality of modern life

The second pillar is the transformation of "Life Services" to emphasise quality, variety, and convenience. As China's 500-million-strong middle class begins to prioritise "quality of life" over the mere accumulation of goods, the government is opening doors to satisfy increasingly diverse consumer demands.

In Shanghai’s Qingpu District, the launch of DeltaHealth Hospital Shanghai - owned by the British conglomerate Swire Pacific - serves as a vital bellwether. As the first general hospital in the city permitted to convert into a wholly foreign-owned entity, it represents an "airlift" of international management logic and specialised expertise into the heart of the Chinese market.

By attracting high-level international medical institutions, China is pursuing a dual-track strategy: meeting the sophisticated demands of high-income groups while simultaneously reducing pressure on public hospitals, which are often overcapacity due to China's massive population. Furthermore, Beijing is encouraging this competition to boost the overall quality of domestic healthcare services.

Meanwhile, a growing ageing population is seeking a better quality of life post-retirement. On the island of Hainan, China’s southernmost province and largest tropical territory, the "Silver Economy" is emerging as a major opportunity. In the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the traditional silos between tourism, healthcare, and elderly care have vanished, replaced by a closed-loop ecosystem. This deep integration of "service + consumption" allows patients to access cutting-edge global drugs synchronised with international approvals, directly addressing health anxieties within an ageing society .

Why the pivot?

Why has China launched this trillion-dollar offensive now? Beyond hedging against rising manufacturing costs brought by geopolitics and other uncertainties, the move is rooted in a desire for resilient public well-being and a green future. Services are inherently less carbon-intensive, making them a natural vehicle for China’s "Dual Carbon" goals. Furthermore, by opening professional sectors like healthcare, education, and finance to global competition, China is using international standards to catalyse a domestic industrial upgrade, creating a more predictable and transparent business environment.

For global investors, this $14 trillion invitation is both a golden opportunity and a strategic challenge. Future dividends will no longer belong to those seeking cheap labour, but to those who can provide systemic solutions, high-end expertise, and innovative service models. From "Made in China" to "China Service," this is more than a change in name - it is a fundamental transformation of the nation's economic engine. In this new era, China will no longer just consume components and raw materials; it will consume the world’s most sophisticated intelligence and services.

Du Yubin is a journalist and producer for CGTN. He was stationed in Washington, D.C. and London for six years each, focusing on China-US and China-EU relations. He has over 15 years of experience in international communication and new media . The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

The southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg emerge as corporate powerhouses.

In Bavaria, cities like Munich and Ingolstadt are anchors for automotive giants such as Audi and BMW. Just to the west in Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg), the global headquarters of Mercedes-Benz Group and engineering group Porsche AG sit alongside high-tech suppliers like Bosch and automation specialist KUKA.

These firms are central to Germany’s reputation as the world’s leading exporter of vehicles and machinery, a status backed by federal data showing that automotive and mechanical engineering account for significant portions of national exports.

This region also houses SAP, Germany’s most valuable tech company and one of the largest enterprise software makers globally, headquartered in Walldorf.

Moving northwest, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) stands out for its industrial diversity.

City hubs such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Essen host companies ranging from chemical and pharmaceutical firms to logistics players.

Corporations like Henkel (consumer goods), Deutsche Post DHL Group (logistics and shipping) and RWE (energy) anchor the region, which historically developed through coal and steel before evolving into a modern services and industrial base.

The Ruhr Valley, once Europe’s industrial heartland, continues to host major employers and head offices tied to manufacturing, chemicals and power generation, a reflection of how Germany has transitioned from heavy industry to high-tech and sustainability-focused sectors.

In the north, port cities like Hamburg and Bremen appear as hubs for shipping and trade. Hapag-Lloyd , one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, is headquartered in Hamburg, as are major logistics and trade firms. The North Sea ports are central to Germany’s external trade, handling cargo flows that connect Europe with Asia and North America.

Though historically industrial regions east of the old Berlin Wall lagged in corporate headquarters, the map shows new growth sectors.

Berlin, the capital, has become a centre for tech start-ups and digital media companies. While traditional industrial headquarters are fewer than in other regions, Berlin’s influence is rising through innovation and venture capital investment.

In eastern states like Saxony and Thuringia, specialised engineering and cleantech firms have headquarters there, mirroring national efforts to expand renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

Naiker described the project as aligning with a “pan-African” vision in support of the country’s leadership, emphasising its role in fostering innovation and local expertise. While most African space-related infrastructure to date has focused on satellite reception or data ground stations, this plan would take a further step into actual manufacturing on the continent.

The facility could ultimately provide African engineers and researchers with a platform to develop satellites tailored to the region’s specific needs, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response and digital connectivity — sectors where space technology is increasingly seen as essential.

Observers of Africa’s growing tech ecosystem say the agreement reflects a broader trend of expanding scientific capacity across the continent, which already includes satellite launches and ground station developments in countries such as Senegal and Namibia. A successful implementation could mark a significant milestone for African participation in the global space industry.

According to the latest international trade data for complete wigs of synthetic textile materials, China and Indonesia stand out as the largest exporters by value in recent years.

In 2022 trade records , China shipped more than $247 million worth of synthetic wigs globally, followed closely by Indonesia with about $209 million in exports. Germany, the U.S. and the Philippines also feature among the top sources.

These figures align closely with the percentages shown in the image above, where China accounts for nearly half of the exported wig value and Indonesia for over a quarter.

Market research firms project global demand for synthetic wigs could nearly double over the next decade as consumers seek affordable, low-maintenance hair alternatives for fashion, medical hair loss solutions, and cultural reasons. Some forecasts estimate the synthetic wig segment alone could grow at a steady rate through 2032.

What this means is that countries with strong textile and manufacturing bases are in a good position to benefit from future demand. China’s large production capacity has made it the dominant exporter, but Indonesia’s rising share highlights how regional players can challenge long-established supply routes.

Platforms like Alibaba are now central hubs for sourcing synthetic wig products directly from manufacturers. Alibaba lists hundreds of synthetic wig products available for export from Chinese suppliers, making it a starting point for buyers from small boutique owners to larger distributors.

The synthetic wig segment exists within the broader beauty and personal care industry. Major public companies like Shiseido (a Japanese global cosmetics conglomerate) appear on industry rankings, including the broader Forbes Global 2000 list of the largest global companies by sales and assets. While not a wig manufacturer itself, Shiseido’s presence underscores how beauty and personal care products are core drivers of consumer spend globally.

Beauty giants ranked in the Global 2000 set the tone for trends and distribution norms, but the wig segment itself is largely made up of smaller specialised manufacturers and suppliers, particularly in Asia, who serve global retail and wholesale markets.

For retailers, salon owners, and e-commerce entrepreneurs, understanding where synthetic wigs come from helps optimise sourcing and pricing strategies. China and Indonesia’s export dominance suggests suppliers in these regions are scaling production, refining logistics, and tapping emerging markets in Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Factory owner Zeng Hao said the majority of the products are exported to Europe, North America and South America , with additional shipments going to nearby markets such as Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Zeng attributed the strong overseas demand to the company’s focus on design and aesthetics. He said consumers are increasingly attracted to distinctive styles and colour combinations, an area the company has prioritised over the past two years by developing new palettes and pairing them with varied product designs.

Beyond aesthetics, Zeng said the core strength of 3D printing lies in its flexibility. Unlike traditional manufacturing lines, production can be switched almost instantly in response to market changes. If demand for toys falls, the factory can pivot to jewellery, handicrafts, lighting products, homeware or even flower pots with minimal downtime.

Inside the facility, each worker oversees roughly 400 machines, moving between printers to replace materials and collect finished items, a workflow that allows the factory to scale output rapidly without large labour increases.

China’s 3D printing farm industry has expanded dramatically in recent years. What began with a few thousand printers has grown to more than 100,000 machines nationwide, reflecting how additive manufacturing is reshaping mass production, particularly for seasonal goods where speed, customisation and adaptability are critical.

As Christmas approaches, factories like Jinqi Toys are showing how China’s manufacturing sector is blending advanced technology with global consumer trends to meet festive demand at scale.

The dealer later told the customer that the logo, weighing just under one don, was worth more than 700,000 won — a sum that far exceeded expectations for a discarded household appliance part.

The video quickly gained traction online, surpassing one million views within days and prompting viewers to scour homes, storage rooms and scrap piles for similar logos. Social media users shared stories of elderly relatives’ old air conditioners and lamented throwing away metal badges years earlier.

The online buzz intensified when a second customer appeared in a follow-up video, bringing in another Whisen logo after seeing the original post. That logo, in better condition, got an even higher valuation.

As interest surged, media reports began to clarify the origins of the gold-plated find. South Korean newspapers reported that the gold logos were not standard fittings but appeared only on specific limited-edition LG models.

According to industry records, LG — then operating as Lucky-Goldstar — produced around 10,000 special-edition Whisen air conditioners in 2005, each fitted with a pure gold logo to mark the company’s dominance in the domestic market.

The concept was revived in 2008 with a small batch of models featuring gold nameplates engraved with an artist’s signature, further blurring the line between appliance and collectible.

At the time, gold prices were a fraction of today’s levels, making the inclusion of precious metal more symbolic than financially significant. Two decades later, soaring gold prices have transformed those logos into unexpected assets.

The episode has underscored how forgotten promotional gimmicks can gain new value with time — and how, in this case, an old air conditioner quietly became a long-term investment without its owner ever knowing.

At the start of the 20th century, U.S. Steel’s $1.4 billion valuation reflected an economy driven by railroads, construction, and large-scale manufacturing, with steel forming the backbone of global industrial growth.

By the mid-20th century, that focus had shifted to mobility and mass production. In 1955, General Motors reached a $10 billion valuation, embodying the postwar automotive boom that reshaped cities, trade, and consumer culture.

A further transformation emerged in the late 20th century. General Electric crossed the $100 billion mark in 1995, signalling the rise of diversified multinational conglomerates spanning energy, aviation, and finance. In 1999, Microsoft’s $500 billion valuation marked a decisive turn toward software, computing, and digital infrastructure as central drivers of economic value.

The trillion-dollar milestone arrived in 2018 when Apple became the first publicly traded company to exceed a $1 trillion market capitalisation. Its growth was powered by consumer technology, global supply chains, and platform-based revenue, highlighting the dominance of digital ecosystems in the modern economy.

The most recent phase is defined by artificial intelligence. Nvidia, a key supplier of advanced semiconductors for AI computing, surpassed $3 trillion in market value in 2024 amid surging demand from companies including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

Artificial intelligence has become a central force shaping markets, government policy, and corporate strategy. The United States , the European Union, and China are advancing regulatory frameworks while competing to secure critical AI infrastructure and talent.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that AI could affect nearly 40% of global jobs , underscoring both the economic potential and the structural disruption associated with this technological transition.

The report, which surveyed 1,094 internet users across Indonesia, evaluates consumer perceptions across 16 major brands, revealing a landscape where trust and functionality currently trump emotional attachment. It is powered by the flexible and intelligent reseach solutions of Impactum Insights .

The top two

Honda and Toyota have cemented their status as the unparalleled "benchmark tier" of the Indonesian automotive industry. These two giants lead the market not just in general awareness, but across nearly all critical performance metrics including quality, reliability, safety, and heritage.

Honda emerges as the strongest overall brand, securing the top spot in the "Top 10 Best Car Brands" list perceived by consumers. The list covers consumer perceptions around safety, technical advancement, reliability, design and pricing.

While Toyota comes in a clear second, there are variations across categories with Chinese and other international carmakers, showing strength across different dimensions.

The mid tier

Below the market leaders lies a congested mid-tier containing brands such as Suzuki, Hyundai, Nissan, Daihatsu, Mazda, and Isuzu. The report describes a "perception plateau" in this segment, particularly regarding design and innovation. In categories like "value for money" and "design," the scores for these mid-tier brands are tightly compressed, indicating that consumers struggle to differentiate between them.

However, newer entrants are beginning to disrupt specific categories.

Download the full report for free to see the unexpected leader in environmental responsibility and the brand recognition challenge facing each manufacturer.

The 2025 landscape presents a clear hierarchy. Honda and Toyota are the safe harbours of the industry, offering a combination of heritage and performance that creates a high barrier to entry. However, challengers are developing their own strengths.

For the newer entrants, the challenge is no longer just about building better cars, but about building visibility. As the report concludes, without stronger consumer education to close the awareness gap, positive product credentials will fail to translate into market share.

Governments that suspended flights or warned citizens against travelling cite a combination of security concerns, institutional breakdown, and unpredictable diplomatic tensions.

Since early September, the U.S. government has been carrying out airstrikes on vessels it claims are drug-running boats from Venezuela and other Latin American countries, actions that Democrats, legal scholars and human rights groups have criticised as extrajudicial killings.

On Thursday, November 27, Trump again warned that he is prepared to expand those strikes to targets on land.

"The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon," Trump told reporters.

Maduro also accused the U.S. in a televised address in October of openly authorising CIA operations to topple his government, calling the move “unprecedented” in modern history.

“The U.S.  government  has decided to send the CIA to Venezuela,” Maduro said in the televised address reported by Viory. “They want to frighten, divide, and demoralise our people. But our people are clear, united, with millions of eyes and ears. We will defeat this conspiracy again.”

A relationship built on confrontation

Tensions between Trump and Maduro date back to 2017, when the White House imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan officials, state-run oil company PDVSA, and the government’s financial networks in a bid to force democratic reforms.

The sanctions accelerated Venezuela’s economic collapse, restricting its access to global capital markets and worsening shortages of fuel, medicine and basic goods.

By early 2019, the Trump administration recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate interim president, triggering a rupture in diplomatic relations. Caracas expelled U.S. diplomats and accused Washington of orchestrating a coup.

As the political crisis intensified, Venezuela’s aviation system deteriorated further, prompting the U.S. decision to halt all flights that year.

Despite a brief easing of sanctions under President Joe Biden in 2023–24, Washington reinstated many restrictions after disagreements over electoral guarantees.

By the time Trump re-emerged as a central political figure in 2025, the relationship had once again become combustible.

Airlines began withdrawing voluntarily years before official bans, citing unpaid debts, unsafe airport conditions, and rising crime around transit hubs. Carriers from Colombia, Brazil, and several European countries reduced their routes long before the current wave of political restrictions.

Today’s bans come against a backdrop of continued concerns over Venezuela’s regulatory oversight, reports of airport corruption, and frequent nationwide blackouts that disrupt aviation systems. Several governments warn that deteriorating security and infrastructure make travel too risky for citizens or airline crews.

At its peak it employed more than 10,000 workers. Until its closure on November 28, around 1,600 remained.

The company blamed “mounting cost pressures” and fast-changing market conditions for the closure. Production had already halted on November 21 as managers and labour representatives negotiated severance terms. 

Canon pledged to meet all legal compensation obligations and offer additional payments, but the speed of the shutdown has amplified speculation that geopolitics, not just economics, played a role.

The announcement came during a sharp downturn in Sino-Japanese relations. Tensions escalated after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remarked on 7 November that armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait could pose a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially triggering Self-Defense Forces mobilisation. 

While Tokyo has avoided escalating the row publicly, Japanese companies in China appear to be quietly reassessing their exposure. Planned business exchanges have been abruptly cancelled. 

A delegation of senior executives from major firms — including Toyota and Sony — called off a scheduled November 25 trip to China, stalling what was expected to be an important round of commercial discussions. A 3,000-person friendship event was also scrapped.

Analysts in Chinese media say Japanese firms are pulling back at a notable pace. Commentators cite rising departures in Shandong and Shanghai and describe an emerging “exodus” of manufacturers seeking alternatives in Southeast Asia. 

Some argue this trend is influencing other foreign investors from the US, UK and Singapore, who are reportedly accelerating moves to places such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Bangladesh. Even Chinese suppliers, they note, are following clients abroad.

Others caution that widespread foreign withdrawals could strain China’s job market, particularly in sectors that have long been supported by international manufacturers. Canon’s closure alone has left more than a thousand workers seeking new employment in a region where factory work is no longer as plentiful as it once was.

Economists had expected a slightly stronger reading of 49.4, and while the figure is an incremental improvement from October, it highlights the depth of the slowdown. 

Industrial output this quarter has posted its weakest gains since early 2025, reflecting falling export orders and nervous domestic spending.

The latest survey also showed that activity across construction and services slipped into contraction for the first time in nearly three years. The non-manufacturing PMI fell to 49.5 in November, from 50.1 the month before, dragged down heavily by the property sector and residential services.

What’s behind the slump?

The data paints a picture of an economy losing momentum on multiple fronts. 

Retail sales growth has slowed for five consecutive months — the longest decline since the early Covid-19 lockdowns — signalling that consumers remain cautious despite government efforts to revive demand. 

Job uncertainty, falling house prices and weak confidence are weighing on household spending.

Trade strains continue to cloud the outlook. Exports unexpectedly contracted in November as global demand failed to compensate for a steep fall in shipments to the United States . 

Although tensions eased slightly after a temporary truce was struck in South Korea in October between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, key issues — including controls over rare earth exports — remain unresolved, leaving the deal fragile.

Relations with Japan have also deteriorated, adding another layer of uncertainty. A diplomatic dispute in recent weeks has prompted Beijing to consider economic countermeasures, raising concerns over further disruption to regional supply chains.

Bright spots

There are pockets of resilience: high-tech manufacturing stayed in expansion territory at 50.1 for a tenth month, and sentiment indicators show some improvement. The index measuring expectations for production and operations climbed to 53.1, with aerospace equipment and non-ferrous metals reporting confidence levels above 57.

Smaller firms also showed signs of recovery, with the PMI for small enterprises jumping two points to 49.1 — the strongest reading in nearly six months. But large manufacturers, which drive the bulk of industrial output, weakened to 49.3, signalling uneven recovery across sectors.

The weak readings follow a bruising period for industry. Industrial profits fell 5.5% in October, the sharpest decline since June, and the property slump continues to erode demand for construction materials and household goods. Services activity, which had been buoyed by the October Golden Week holiday, has now given up much of that boost.

For policymakers, the dilemma remains familiar. 

Beijing has resisted launching major stimulus, arguing that growth is still on track to meet the government’s 5% target for the year. But with output stagnating and demand still faltering, pressure is growing for clearer support measures — and confidence that China’s manufacturing engine can restart after months of sputtering.