Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT

With winter in full swing, small heating appliances are emerging as a new highlight of the overseas expansion of Chinese products. From January to November 2025, exports of electric heaters and heated blankets reached 106.15 million units, up 6.18 percent year-on-year, performing strongly across Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Central Asia, according to the People's Daily on Thursday.

This strong performance didn't just happen, particularly against a backdrop of slowing global trade, rising protectionism, and geopolitical risks. The resilient growth demonstrates that China's foreign trade sector is not merely reactive; it actively adapts to market conditions through technological upgrades, functional improvements, and localized design, meeting diverse overseas market needs and showcasing the adaptability and resilience of Chinese exports in a complex environment.

Why is demand for Chinese small heating appliances remaining strong across global markets?

The first factor is agile market response and fast production. In Cixi, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, known as China's small appliance capital, it takes less than two months to design, manufacture, and roll out a new heating appliance. According to the People's Daily, Jiuyou Electric Appliance Co produced 300,000 units in 2025, up nearly 30 percent from the previous year.

Second, localized innovation tailored to target markets is also key. Popular heaters sold at the Yiwu International Trade Market are designed for European and Middle Eastern households, offering both heating and cooling functions, and even simulating a fireplace effect. Some companies also collaborate with overseas design firms in the Nordic market to develop minimalist heaters, which have gained traction in those markets.

The success of these specific products shows that Chinese exporters possess the capacity to quickly complete design, organize production, and launch their products in the market. This agility is underpinned by China's manufacturing base, which is gradually strengthened through long-term market competition.

For instance, the heater cluster in Cixi, Zhejiang, comprises more than 100 companies specializing in heater production and exports, accounting for one-third of the country's total exports in this sector, according to the China Securities Journal.

In fact, China's broader home appliance industry illustrates this strength. Over the years, China has built a comprehensive supply chain covering core components, finished product assembly, logistics, and after-sales service. Clustered industrial zones have created significant economies of scale. One-stop solutions not only reduce adjustment costs for enterprises but also improve delivery efficiency, enabling Chinese home appliance firms to meet overseas demand rapidly and remain competitive even under complex external conditions.

According to data from the website of the China International Appliance & Electronics Supply Chain Expo, the Chinese home appliance metal components market amounted to about 286 billion yuan ($41 billion) in 2025, with South China's Guangdong, East China's Zhejiang and Jiangsu contributing about 75 percent of total output. This concentration underscores the strong support for complete appliance manufacturing.

The growth of exports of innovative Chinese heaters also reflects the ongoing optimization of China's trade structure. Chinese exports are shifting toward higher-value, premium products, elevating China's position in the global value chain. The industry is transitioning from exporting products to exporting brands. Positive feedback from overseas markets is expected to encourage domestic companies to increase research and development investment, further reinforcing this virtuous cycle.

Global trade still faces significant challenges this year. The World Trade Organization revised its forecast for global merchandise trade growth down to 0.5 percent. Nevertheless, many Chinese heating appliance companies remain confident, with some already booking orders through April. A sustained focus on long-term planning and innovation will allow enterprises to further thrive amid intense international competition.

China's foreign trade sector will continue to find new opportunities under pressure, relying on countless enterprises such as those producing small heating appliances, which capture market demand with sharp market insights, support production with strong manufacturing capabilities, and enhance value through continuous product innovation, in turn boosting China's overall manufacturing and trade strength.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn