Qingdao brands shine at Paris Olympics

Chinese home appliance giant Haier Group is headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: opinionline]

The Paris Olympics are now in full swing, and many Chinese enterprises are actively participating through various means, igniting a vibrant Olympic economy. Numerous Qingdao-made products have seized the opportunity to showcase themselves on the international stage.

According to Qingdao Customs statistics for the first half of this year, Qingdao exported 2.26 billion yuan ($313.6 million) worth of sporting goods, a year-on-year increase of 35.2 percent. A total of 20.26 million yuan in sporting goods were exported to France, a 51.7 percent year-on-year growth.

Impulse (QingDao) Health Tech Co Ltd is a shining example on the global stage. In April, its independent brand, IMPULSE, debuted at the FIBO trade show in Cologne, Germany. Following the commencement of the Paris Olympics, business exchanges have become more frequent, with preliminary estimates indicating an 80 percent increase in inquiries.

Qingdao Imbell Sporting Goods Co Ltd is another sporting goods exporter in Qingdao. It primarily exports sports equipment and weightlifting training devices.

"Since 2024, the company has seen a significant increase in export orders to France, with the value of exports nearly 200 times higher. Our production line is currently operating at full capacity to accelerate order fulfillment," said Zhao Ziqing, the company's overseas business manager.

In addition to sporting goods, many Olympic-related products are also benefiting from the Olympics. Qingdao Haier Overseas Electrical Appliances Co Ltd reported a substantial increase in demand for refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and other products in France due to the Olympics. In the first half of the year, the company's exports of related products to France increased significantly, with the value of exports growing by over 80 percent year-on-year.

The Olympic economy is proving to be a powerful driver of exports. According to Qingdao Customs statistics, Qingdao's exports to France amounted to 3.89 billion yuan in the first half, a 12.2 percent year-on-year increase, surpassing the city's average export growth rate by 2.4 percentage points.