With Chinaplas returning to Shanghai for the first time in six years, and questions hovering over China’s economic trajectory, Ada Leung, general manager of sales and marketing at the event’s organiser Adsale, commented on developments across the country in response to a Plasteurope.com query.

The Chinese economy grew by 5.2% in 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, slightly ahead of expectations after the country re-opened in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Leung said that several sectors have regained momentum, including automotive, consumer electronics, and e-commerce. 

Related: Plastics trade fair Chinaplas returns to Shanghai

According to Leung, the demand outlook for plastics and rubber materials in China was positive due to the development of new hi-tech sectors, including solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, as well as renewable and sustainable energy.

Additionally, in alignment with a “going-out” strategy, businesses are taking proactive steps to expand into overseas markets, with a particular focus on the ASEAN countries, Leung noted.

She warned, however, that as the Chinese economy shifts focus from rapid to high-quality growth, it has to grapple with weakening consumer demand, an unstable supply chain, and intense competition.

Nevertheless, the Adsale manager said Chinaplas 2024 will play a pivotal role in championing technological advancements and sustainable practices within the plastics and rubber industries, “helping buyers to position themselves strategically and seize the opportunities arising from the ongoing economic recovery”.