By Isreal Ebube Ulebor
In a bid to highlight the growing competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing on the global stage, a Professor at the China Africa Think Tank Research Center, Professor Hui An, has said the ongoing heatwave across Europe has demonstrated the strength of Chinese made cooling products and reinforced the benefits of open trade.
Professor Hui An made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday, where he said the sharp rise in demand for Chinese electric fans, portable air conditioners and other cooling appliances across Europe reflects consumers’ confidence in Chinese products despite trade barriers introduced by some European countries.
According to him, the extreme heatwave has swept across several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Belgium, with temperatures reaching record highs and posing serious risks to public health.
He said the severe weather has become more than a meteorological event, describing it as a major challenge to people’s lives and well being.
Citing statistics from the World Health Organization, Professor Hui An said more than 1,300 people died from heat related causes across Europe in just one week.
He noted that cooling appliances have therefore become essential household items rather than luxury products.
The professor said Chinese cooling equipment, including electric fans and portable air conditioners, has witnessed a surge in demand across Europe because of its affordability, quality and suitability for consumers’ needs.
According to the statement, the products have been praised by local residents as “life saving cooling gadgets.”
He further stated that field visits conducted by reporters in Belgium showed Chinese cooling products were almost sold out in physical supermarkets, while several Chinese brands were listed as out of stock on major online shopping platforms.
Similar buying trends, he added, have been recorded in several other European countries.
Professor Hui An argued that the development has exposed the limitations of trade protectionism, saying some European countries have increasingly introduced industrial barriers and trade restrictions in an attempt to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
He maintained that the current demand for Chinese cooling appliances has shown that market forces and consumer needs cannot be restrained by protectionist policies.
According to him, Europe’s shortage of cooling products is linked to what he described as outdated industrial planning and slow product innovation.
He explained that many locally produced cooling systems are not suitable for Europe’s aging buildings, which are difficult to renovate, making it challenging for domestic manufacturers to meet the everyday cooling needs of consumers.
“In contrast, Chinese cooling appliances, featuring mature technology, easy installation, high energy efficiency and competitive prices, have naturally become European consumers’ top pick,” he said.
Professor Hui An also said Chinese manufacturers have responded to overseas market demands by producing split portable air conditioners that require no structural renovation and can easily be installed in older residential buildings.
He noted that the products have gained widespread acceptance across Europe because of their reliable quality and practical designs.
“The market is the fairest judge, and consumers’ real choices carry far more weight than empty slogans of protectionism,” he said.
The professor added that China remains committed to expanding high standard opening up while advancing green and smart manufacturing as well as new productive forces.
He said Europe is also pursuing green and digital industrial transformation, creating significant opportunities for stronger cooperation between both sides.
According to him, closer economic cooperation would not only benefit China and Europe but also create development opportunities for developing countries, including Nigeria.
He said, “The extreme heat will eventually fade away, yet the lessons drawn from this market boom will endure: trade protectionism leads nowhere, and opening up and cooperation represent the right path.
“Any trade barrier that runs counter to market rules and blocks connectivity can never hold back the trend of matching supply with demand, stop people worldwide from pursuing a better life, nor stem the global tide of joint development and win win collaboration.”
