Avoid the Snake's Bite
It pays to be China-Informed in 2025.
Here is an insight on what’s working in the world and ideas on how to make it work for you.
This week, Big Tech feels the sting of blindspots and biases from a Chinese competitor - a hungry, ambitious snake has bitten.
Yet, understanding China has never been easier, cheaper, or faster - whether you’re curious about your own blindspots and biases, preparing for a visit, or seeking to maximise returns without travelling.
It’s the Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Snake.
About 2 billion people around the world will celebrate. It is timely for business leaders everywhere to use strategic planning to eliminate China-related blindspots and biases and explore new commercial opportunities.
Bitten by the Snake
Across the news, we currently see DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup, disrupting the tech industry. Its reasoning model, paired with an app that has become the most downloaded on the Apple AppStore, has sent shockwaves through markets. DeepSeek’s rise contributed to NVIDIA’s biggest single-day market loss, exposing the risk of overreliance on entrenched big tech players.
Strategic Intelligence: Being China-Informed
The rules of business are shifting. Winners are no longer necessarily the biggest players, from the most advanced economies, or those with the most resources.
To stay competitive, it pays to be China-informed. This may involve updating:
(i) Who you know in China,
(ii) What you know about current and emerging business dynamics, and
(iii) How you work to fill gaps that respond to commercial threats and opportunities.
Here are several ways to make a start, whether you plan to visit China or simply want to maximise returns without travelling.
For many of the methods below, translation from Mandarin will be required. Online translation tools, with the support of a Mandarin speaker can be invaluable.
1. Leverage Local Market Research Firms
Partnering with market research firms offers a shortcut to understanding China’s diverse market. These companies provide specialised insights into consumer behaviour, market entry strategies, and regional nuances. The value lies in their deep local knowledge and proven track records. For example:
Daxue Consulting: Expertise in consumer behaviour analysis and industry-specific insights.
Ipsos China: Combines global expertise with local knowledge for brand tracking and product testing.
GfK China: Offers real-time predictive insights tailored to regional differences.
Nielsen China: Leverages decades of experience to provide comprehensive market research.
Kadence International: Covers rural and Tier 1-4 cities for in-depth analysis.
SIS International Research: Provides industry-specific research to support global businesses.
2. Study Chinese Digital Platforms
Understanding China’s digital platforms provides direct insights into consumer preferences, competitor strategies, and engagement trends. Key platforms include:
WeChat: Critical for customer engagement through mini-programs and targeted advertising.
Weibo: A tool for public engagement and staying updated on trends.
Douyin: A vital platform for video marketing and influencer collaborations.
Xiaohongshu:User-generated content drives trust and influences purchasing decisions.
Tmall and JD.com: Insights into consumer behaviour through reviews and competitive pricing strategies.
Pinduoduo: Known for innovative group-buying models.
3. Access Localised Data
Accessing localised datasets helps businesses make data-driven decisions based on market trends, consumer behaviour, and macroeconomic indicators. Key resources include:
CSMAR Database: A comprehensive resource for financial and corporate data.
CEIC China Premium Database: Provides granular data at national and provincial levels.
National Bureau of Statistics of China: Offers official data on China’s economy.
Euromonitor International: Covers market research and consumer insights in China.
4. Tap Into Online Forums and Reviews
Chinese forums and review platforms provide unfiltered insights into consumer preferences and competitor performance:
Zhihu: Valuable for Q&A insights into product use.
Douban: Highlights cultural preferences.
Xiaohongshu: A goldmine for user-generated reviews in lifestyle sectors.
5. Monitor E-commerce Trends
Analytics platforms reveal trends in online shopping behaviours and competitor strategies:
THINK CHINA’s UnifyXP: Tracks best-selling products and re-targets potential customers.
WPIC’s Discripto®: Analyses competitor strategies using real-time data.
Alibaba Analytics: Provides insights into category performance and pricing dynamics.
6. Learn from Local Experts
Reading insights and perspectives from industry leaders based in China offers a strategic edge by revealing nuanced views of the market and emerging trends.
For example, Kai-Fu Lee, AI Expert, CEO of 01.AI, Chairman/CEO of Sinovation Ventures, author of ‘AI Superpowers’ and ‘AI 2041’.
Lee provides deep insights into China’s AI landscape, innovation ecosystem, and technological advancements. His work bridges the gap between Western and Chinese approaches to AI, offering valuable perspectives on collaboration, competition, and market potential.
Learning from experts like Lee grants access to strategic thinking and trends, helping leaders better understand China’s technological trajectory, which directly shapes the nation’s economic and geopolitical influence. These insights are invaluable for navigating the intersection of global innovation and local market conditions.
7. Global Chinese Industry Associations
Chinese industry associations and chambers of commerce offer sector-specific reports and networking opportunities. Examples include:
ACFIC: Provides cross-industry insights.
CCPIT: Hosts international business forums.
CNNIC: Tracks developments in technology and digital innovation.
8. Use Social Listening Tools
Social listening platforms monitor brand mentions, sentiment, and trends across Chinese digital platforms:
KAWO: Analyses campaign performance.
Meltwater: Monitors sentiment and trends.
Wisers: Tracks consumer sentiment and competitor activity.
9. Analyse Supply Chains
Platforms like Tendata iTrader and SINOIMEX reveal supply chain data, helping companies understand sourcing strategies, trade patterns, and potential vulnerabilities.
10. Understand Regulatory Filings
Access filings via platforms like CNIPA and SOOPAT to understand competitors’ intellectual property strategies. Regulatory filings highlight competitor innovations, key to minimising blindspots.
11. Explore Academic and Government Research
Institutions like the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology and the National Bureau of Statistics publish valuable reports on technology and economic trends. These resources provide data-backed insights into industry dynamics and policy shifts.
12. Participate in Online Trade Events
Events like the China International Import Expo and Smart Expo enable networking and product showcasing. Virtual events allow businesses to connect with Chinese stakeholders without travel costs.
13. Network at Home: Engage the Chinese Diaspora
The Chinese diaspora, a global community of people of Chinese origin, offers valuable insights and connections. Engaging with diaspora communities through platforms like WeChat and through in-person events hosted by organisations like the China Business Network local Chinese business councils, or chambers of commerce provides opportunities to:
Learn market insights: Diaspora communities can share cultural and consumer behaviour nuances.
Hire talent: Locally hire professionals with experience in China to bridge cultural and language gaps.
Build partnerships: Connect with university alumni, students studying at local universities, or professional networks to find collaborators and develop meaningful relationships.
Leverage media: Explore Chinese-language newspapers, radio, and digital channels for market trends.
Turning the Snake's Bite into Commercial Opportunity
The rules of business are shifting, and staying competitive means being proactive, informed, and adaptable.
When we shift how we see the world, we better shape how we do business in it.
Snakes bite. Yet the Year of the Snake also offers opportunities for those who are China-informed - those who update who they know, what they know, and how they work to respond to both commercial threats and emerging opportunities.
How does China factor into your business strategy?
What market intelligence or opportunity gaps could you fill in the Year of the Snake?
新年快乐! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! Happy Lunar New Year!
Excellent article Sophie! China’s world leading tech capabilities will enable them to outpace other advanced economies in 2025, then well beyond. More important than ever to embrace the opportunity China presents to the world.