Editor's Note: As China steps up efforts to boost domestic demand and drive consumption-led growth, multinational corporations are uniquely positioned to seize the opportunities presented by this transformative period. China Daily examines how these companies are aligning with China's new round of high-standard opening-up policies, embracing emerging tech innovation trends, and expanding their presence in a market that increasingly values high-quality development and upgraded consumption.

Q1 Driving domestic consumption is a top priority for China's economic growth this year. With the country placing greater emphasis on consumption-led development, how is your company adapting its products, services, or localization strategies to meet evolving domestic demand and shifting consumer preferences?

HOMMA: Panasonic Group established its Northeast Asia company in China in 2019 to achieve "local decision-making for Chinese operations". We have basically realized the localization from research and development to production and sales in products such as home appliances and residential equipment in the Chinese market.

In the field of product innovation, Panasonic has accelerated the iteration and upgrade of intelligent products and services. On the one hand, we have launched youthful products precisely targeting the young consumer group. On the other hand, we have created high value-added products to meet the demands of people's pursuit of high-quality lifestyles. Simultaneously, leveraging the integration advantages of home appliances and residential equipment, Panasonic is building intelligent and healthy living spaces, contributing to the construction of safe, comfortable, green and smart homes, as well as the renovation of old houses.

SHIH: Rockwell Automation has noticed significant potential in China's consumption-led development. The Chinese market's focus on boosting domestic consumption through policies such as enhancing the supply side will create new market opportunities. Rockwell aims to drive supply by generating new demand and we are eager to create new demand through innovations and cross-border collaboration with our customers and partners across the entire industrial chain.

Rockwell has expanded our capabilities in addressing industrial challenges to handle social challenges as many of those need to be solved by leveraging the industrial ecosystem.

For example, Rockwell is working on technology that provides at least 50 percent more parking space than traditional vertical parking solutions, which could help drive parking construction and potentially boost vehicle consumption.

Our innovative solutions can play a crucial role in helping Chinese manufacturers upgrade their capabilities, better meet market demand and generate a consumption-driven momentum for the economy.

ZHU: Domestic consumption has been and always will be a key pillar of the Chinese economy. To adapt to the pace of change in the consumer sector, people's longing for good lifestyles becomes an anchor point for future innovation in a time of rapid technological advances.

As brands adapt their strategies to meet evolving customer needs and create meaningful connections, it's imperative to create beacons of trust in communications, commerce, products and services. We will work with them to forecast the changing dynamics between technology and users, establish guardrails of technology usage, and align with people's growing desire for more immersive and authentic experiences.

OZAWA: China's economic development creates both challenges and opportunities. We see great potential from industrial upgrading and emerging sectors, and different industries are showing distinct development trends. From the perspective of consumer demand, there has been rapid development in areas such as travel, social media and entertainment. Canon has noted that these market changes have driven increased demand for imaging products. In the past two years, the Chinese camera market has grown by more than 20 percent annually, which is the fastest in the world.

China has about 300 million Generation Z consumers. They prefer using imaging products for photography and video creation. In response, Canon has launched more affordable products with competitive prices, enhanced features and designs to attract young customers.

Canon fully supports China's efforts to boost domestic consumption. With a growing market and government support, we have seized many new opportunities. The imaging market is thriving. We're very optimistic about the future and believe that a new golden age for the camera market is coming soon.

Q2 "China Travel" and "Shopping in China" have become buzzwords among international visitors, fueled by China's unilateral visa-free policies for multiple countries and a new initiative allowing eligible travelers to receive instant tax refunds. How is your business planning to innovate and capture the momentum from this trend? Additionally, how do you view emerging opportunities in areas such as green technology, the low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing, and experiential services?

HOMMA: Panasonic has developed a variety of portable and intelligent products such as razors, hair dryers and electric toothbrushes through innovative research to meet the diverse needs of travelers. At the same time, we have strengthened cooperation with duty-free channels such as China Duty Free Group.

Panasonic focuses on the green economy and proposed a long-term environmental vision in 2022. Through products such as home appliances, residential equipment, intelligent manufacturing equipment, new energy vehicle batteries and components, we contribute to energy conservation and environmental protection. Additionally, we vigorously expand the application scenarios of clean energy, such as stationary hydrogen fuel cells. By the end of 2024, the number of our "zero-carbon factories" in China had increased to 16.

SHIH: China's positive signal of continuing high-level opening-up brings huge potential. Rockwell is encouraged by such an open environment to further contribute to the local market and our local partners in the fields of smart manufacturing, industrial upgrading and sustainability. Also, the trend of opening-up has provided Rockwell with opportunities to collaborate with local players across various fields to address industrial and urban challenges together.

China is the only country that covers all 666 subindustries based on the industrial classification of the United Nations in the field of green development, and this could help generate multiple industry use cases and allow players from different fields to share their experience on new approaches for green transition. At the "Climate Lighthouse: A New Era" event during Shanghai Climate Week 2025, Rockwell, together with other industry players, launched a group standard to form a transparent evaluation framework for participants in the Climate Lighthouse initiative, and a white paper to bring up the evolution of domestic and international policies and advanced technologies in buildings, industrial parks, manufacturing and supply chains.

ZHU: The increasing vitality in the consumption sector is the latest testament of how companies are rethinking and reshaping their products and service strategies and how policies are adapting to unlock spending powers.

The behaviors playing out here in China — seeking digital innovations, emotional connection and meaningful differentiation — are not isolated, they're leading indicators. We are helping companies better embed into local life through tailored products and services, community-building and emotional resonance.

For example, we have been working with an international food manufacturer on its journey to build a digital factory, accelerate innovation, streamline supply chains and tailor products for different groups in an evolving business and consumer landscape.

OZAWA: We are seeing more international visitors traveling to and shopping in China, which is a new growth driver for our business. Canon aims to leverage its global network of subsidiaries and cooperate actively with Chinese cultural and tourism authorities to promote marketing campaigns that encourage inbound tourism to China, thereby boosting growth in China's tourism sector while stimulating sales of our cameras domestically.

Meanwhile, we are aware of the huge potential in China's emerging sectors like green technology, the low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing and experiential services. In smart manufacturing, we focus on innovation to enhance product quality and meet the market's demand for high-end manufacturing. In experiential services, we're exploring how to create more engaging and interactive experiences by using our imaging technology. For example, we're expanding offline activities that offer personalized experiences, helping consumers better understand product features and improving their shopping experience.

Q3 AI and digitalization are rapidly transforming industries across the globe. How are your China operations incorporating these technologies to boost efficiency, improve customer experiences, or unlock new revenue streams in light of the country's push for "new quality productive forces"?

HOMMA: Panasonic's largest overseas software R&D base in Dalian, Liaoning province, is continuously strengthening the development of artificial intelligence, focusing on applying AI into products. Panasonic's factories in China are also increasingly enhancing their intelligence and digitalization levels, improving efficiency through the establishment of modern smart factories. Panasonic Information Systems (Shanghai) Co Ltd has built an AI platform aligned with international standards, providing employees with cutting-edge AI tools that enable intelligent dialogue, associated search, document translation, document generation and many other functions to help improve work performance. The company has been recognized as a "Multinational R&D Center", acknowledged for its excellence in technological innovation and localized development.

SHIH: Rockwell is dedicated to helping China's "new quality productive forces" through energy transition, life sciences, high-end equipment, digital and AI innovations, and explorations in other fields.

According to our report, 83 percent of manufacturers planned to use generative AI in their operations in 2024. In the manufacturing sector, AI can detect defects and ensure product quality in a more efficient, accurate and proactive way. In China, Rockwell is integrating AI into our overall value chain from design, AI and data mining to marketing and services. For example, through initiatives like the co-innovation center we established with Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, Rockwell is using AI and other emerging technologies to drive innovations and industrial upgrading in China.

We are also applying digitalization expertise to empower manufacturers and trying to influence the industry landscape. One of our successful cases is equipping an ice cream OEM manufacturer with flexible manufacturing capabilities, which helps it generate customized production and gain cost reductions, efficiency improvements and new revenue streams.

ZHU: The recent progress in the wave of AI innovation led by open-source large language models like DeepSeek and Qwen is very encouraging as companies quickly pick up the signal and mobilize themselves to harness the use of such technologies. We anticipate more innovation and application happening across industries and functions, from R&D to manufacturing, from customer interface to warehouse, and from upskilling to sustainability.

For businesses in China looking to boost their productivity and performance, technologies led by AI present an unprecedented opportunity to create value, respond dynamically to change and build resilience. According to Accenture's estimation, adopting a holistic approach to productivity, with generative AI acting as multiplier, could boost a company's productivity growth from 1.9 percent to 15.9 percent.

With more Chinese companies surveyed expecting their generative AI solutions to be adopted at scale within their organization this year, we are here to help businesses unlock measurable, enterprise-wide impact through leading with value, building an AI-enabled digital core, reinventing talent, embedding responsible AI and driving continuous reinvention.

OZAWA: AI technology has brought significant business opportunities to Canon. From cameras to printing products and medical equipment, our new products launched in recent years have effectively integrated AI technology, significantly improving efficiency and the user experience. Looking ahead, we see AI as a key driver for product line innovation and AI will continue to play a strong role in making our products smarter, more efficient and better, while enhancing the user experience. At the same time, we are deeply exploring the application of AI technology to promote internal digital transformation, streamline workflows and boost productivity. In our company, we've already developed AI-related systems to improve the efficiency of internal information sharing and application. Once mature, we plan to offer it as a solution to the market, providing services to more businesses.

Q4 China is stepping up efforts to promote high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and upgraded services. In this context, is your company planning to increase investments, establish new partnerships, or expand R&D capabilities in China? What are the core objectives of your long-term strategy in the Chinese market?

HOMMA: From 2020 to the present, we have initiated the construction and investment of 19 new bases nationwide. With an investment of 50 million yuan ($6.95 million), the large-diameter battery production line of Panasonic Energy (Wuxi) achieved official mass production and shipments in April. The new factories of Panasonic Industrial Devices Materials (Suzhou) and Panasonic Factory Solutions Suzhou are also under construction. In July, Panasonic will build another new electronic device materials factory in Fengxian district of Shanghai, contributing to China's semiconductor industry. Additionally, Panasonic has collaborated with fund companies to invest in clean energy, mobility technology and innovative consumption. Beyond the investment returns from the funds themselves, these collaborations also bring us the latest information and development trends in emerging industries. Panasonic will advance its business development following the two major directions, namely, "in China for China" and "in China for Global". Leveraging the cost, speed, and model advantages accumulated in China, Panasonic will accelerate its empowerment for global development based on the Chinese market.

SHIH: China's efforts to pursue high-quality development, such as high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and upgraded services, give Rockwell great anticipation for our future growth in the local market. With over 30 years of development in the Chinese mainland, we've witnessed the power and potential driven by China's development. Looking ahead, Rockwell's vision is to utilize our DNA advantage — the horizontal integration ability to build a platform that connects the supply side and demand side and garner cross-border partners. As for the Climate Lighthouse initiative, this year Rockwell established the Climate Lighthouse ecological alliance to expand our joint efforts on the climate change issue. We aim to involve international use cases in the action plan next year and bring more cooperation opportunities to the local market. Rockwell will leverage our global network and over a century of expertise in smart manufacturing to accelerate the journey of local partners to both industrial and green sustainability, co-contributing to a better human society within the Chinese market.

ZHU: Accenture has been operating in the Chinese mainland for nearly 40 years and will continue to be committed to helping businesses grow in China. In leveraging the power of reinvention in action, Accenture has been strengthening capabilities in data and AI, shaping fit-for-purpose solutions and creating great experiences for clients and partners. Now it is a pivotal moment for Chinese companies to drive productivity and growth, enhance resilience, and innovate boldly to lead in the new frontier of growth. We are committed to better serving the needs of our clients, achieving profitable growth and creating 360-degree value for all our stakeholders in China.

OZAWA: Canon was among the first foreign companies to enter the Chinese market, and China has always been one of Canon's most important markets. Canon is committed to driving high-quality industrial development through technological innovation, contributing to China's digital economy. In fields such as optical imaging, printing, healthcare and semiconductor equipment, Canon integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, big data, the internet of things and cloud computing to promote digital transformation and upgrading in relevant industries. High-quality development and new quality productive forces are key trends in China's market and Canon China is actively responding. If our performance in China continues to grow, we will increase our investment and expand our R&D capabilities to better meet the innovative demands of the Chinese market. Canon will also continue to explore new market segments such as medical imaging and sustainable solutions to meet China's needs for high-end technology and green products. We remain dedicated to our long-term goal of becoming No 1 in the Canon Group by 2035, and contributing more to China's high-quality development.