Chinese exporters stay resilient amid increased competition from Vietnam, other emerging markets, Alibaba executive says

The bullish outlook for China’s small and medium-sized exporters comes as the country’s export growth rebounded in May

Alibaba has been ramping up efforts to make cross-border e-commerce more accessible to small enterprises, as domestic consumption has slowed

Reading Time:2 minutes

The bullish export outlook by Alibaba.com, a unit of Alibaba Group Holding, reflects China’s broader effort to turn around its faltering economy, following relief packages introduced by the government in May. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:30pm, 13 Jun 2022Updated: 5:04pm, 27 Jul 2022

China’s small exporters, whose operations have been disrupted by the government’s zero-Covid-19 policy, will continue to be competitive amid the growing challenge from their counterparts in Vietnam and other emerging markets, according to a senior executive at e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding.

The country’s small and medium-sized exporters are still doing fine, despite increased manufacturing activity in emerging markets like Vietnam, Alibaba.com general manager Zhang Kuo said in a live-streaming session on June 9, according to a report on Sunday by Chinese digital media outlet Jiemian.com.

That assessment by Zhang comes as China’s export growth rebounded in May, following the gradual return to normal of manufacturing activity in Shanghai towards the end of the city’s two-month Covid-19 lockdown.

Alibaba, owner of the South China Morning Post, on Monday confirmed that Zhang gave a speech that was live-streamed on June 9, but did not elaborate on his remarks. Alibaba.com, the company’s first business, operates an integrated international online wholesale marketplace that connects Chinese and overseas suppliers to overseas wholesale buyers.

China’s export growth rebounded in May, as manufacturing activity in Shanghai gradually returned to normal. Photo: Shutterstock

The bullish outlook by Alibaba.com’s Zhang reflects China’s broader effort to turn around its faltering economy, following relief packages introduced by the government in May.

The country’s exports totalled US$308.25 billion in May, up 16.9 per cent from a year earlier, according to data released by China Customs last Thursday.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x