Multiple drive
Several years ago, back when BlackBerry phones were popular in the US, some of my friends wanted to keep up with the trend, yet couldn’t afford them, so they bought Chinese knockoffs instead. During dates with their girlfriends, they were often too embarrassed to bring out their “fake BlackBerries.” However, things are completely different now. “Made in China” is no longer synonymous with “inferior” or “counterfeit.” Many Indonesians are using Chinese-made smartphones like Oppo, Vivo, or Xiaomi, and TikTok, whose user base has surpassed that of YouTube, Novi Basuki, a prominent Indonesian sinologist, told the Global Times.
The shift in Indonesians’ perception of “Made in China” reflects China’s enhanced soft power. Observers have pointed out that such enhancement is driven by multiple factors.
For example, in terms of electronics, China currently offers high-quality products at highly competitive prices, which continues to contribute to an enhanced perception of having “products and brands the world loves,” for which the nation ranks 6th overall, Chen noted.
At the same time, Chen pointed out that while being ranked third overall in the index, China performs strongly attributes such as “easy to do business with” and “future growth potential,” with a prime example being the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“As key objectives of the initiative China’s focus on promoting economic development, both domestically and among participating nations, especially in areas lacking infrastructure, has been key. Additionally, the BRI has played a role in facilitating international trade,” he said.
In terms of the index of Education and Science, Chen noted that Brand
Finance’s latest research found that China has made significant strides in recent years. Underscored by various
breakthroughs in areas like Artificial Intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration, China has been able to cultivate an international reputation for its innovation capabilities and technological prowess.
The answer to this conclusion can be found in the cooperation between China and many countries in the world.
For example, in Brazil, people’s views on China’s soft power regarding are undergoing positive changes. Surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center show that about 70 percent of respondents from Latin American countries approve of China’s technological development. Chinese cars, especially new energy vehicles (NEVs), are favored by Latin Americans for their excellent performance, cost-effectiveness, and technological advantages.
“In recent years, more and more Chinese companies have invested in Brazil, bringing not only capital but also advanced management techniques, creating a large number of job opportunities for the locals,” Letícia, a Brazilian student majoring in international relations, told the Global Times.
According to statistics released by Chinese Customs, in 2023, China’s exports of electromechanical products reached 13.92 trillion yuan ($1.92 trillion) with an increase of 2.9 percent, accounting for 58.6 percent of total exports. Among these products, the combined export of the New Trio, which includes electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells, increased by 29.9 percent and reached 1.06 trillion yuan, breaking the trillion-yuan mark for the first time.
The Financial Times recently reported that thanks to excellent performance and affordability, the market sales of Chinese NEVs continue to grow, with obvious advantages over their counterparts from other countries. Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore headquartered in Belgium, which is part of the NEV supply chain, stated that Chinese electric vehicles are good enough and provide what the market and consumers truly need.