Explore the Chinese Market! Increase your opportunities to penetrate the Chinese market and achieve exponential business growth.

The People's Republic of China, or China as many know it, is the world's second-largest economy by GDP. This clearly demonstrates the crucial role of domestic consumption in China's industrial policy. Furthermore, the Chinese government has consistently maintained investment and production, key components of its economy.

Even Guangdong, China's largest province, has a GDP greater than Canada's, and the Yangtze River Delta, centered around Shanghai, has a GDP equivalent to the entire country of Germany.

It is evident that the Chinese market is enormous and highly valuable, leading most brands to desire investment and business opportunities there. This includes established brands seeking to expand their customer base in China, as well as completely new brands.

 

Analyze the Chinese market to open up opportunities and make it easier to penetrate the Chinese market. 

In the fourth quarter of 2022, China's GDP expanded by 2.91% to 37 trillion TND year-on-year, exceeding analysts' forecasts of 1.81% to 37 trillion TND. Therefore, to continue this growth in the Chinese market, the Chinese government has set the following economic targets for 2022:

1. GDP expanded by 5.5 percent 
2. Creating more than 11 million new jobs and maintaining a surveyed unemployment rate of no more than 5 percent. 
3. The CPI increased by 3 percent 
4. National income grew at the same rate as China's economic growth.
5. International trade is stable and can improve the quality of export products. 
6. To create balance in the overall international balance of payments. 
7. The production volume of rice and grains increased to more than 650 billion kilograms. 
8. Pollution emissions have been decreasing continuously.

China continues to pursue its industrialization plans and related policies that seek to restrict market access for imported goods, foreign manufacturers, and numerous overseas suppliers, while the government provides significant regulatory support to local industries. The beneficiaries of these increasingly sophisticated policies are not only state-owned enterprises but also companies striving to upgrade China's economic value chains.

Based on China's goals and guidelines, it is essential for Thailand to develop its export products to China, particularly agricultural products such as rice and grains, to ensure quality and meet the demand of Chinese consumers. This aligns with China's 2022 economic goals, especially maintaining food security and ensuring high rice and grain production, a priority for the Chinese government.

All of this will be extended until 2023, making it still an opportunity for many brands to enter the Chinese market. Regarding exporting goods to the Chinese market, information from the "Thai Business Information Center in China" explains the origin of CBEC (Circular-Green Equity), stating that the government established it to stimulate Chinese consumer demand for legally importing small quantities of goods from abroad. This provides assurance that the products are authentic, without relying on intermediaries who monopolize pricing and purchasing decisions on large-scale orders. This makes it ideal for small Thai businesses wanting to test the waters in the Chinese market without high investment costs.

 

Explore interesting market trends in China that brands looking to enter the Chinese market shouldn't miss!

Today, HelloAds will introduce some trending topics in the Chinese market to help you decide whether your target audience or product can adapt these trends into your advertising campaigns. Let's look at four hot trends in the Chinese market:

• Trends related to sleep 

Data from iiMedia Research reveals that in recent years, the sleep economy market in China has grown to a value of 261.63 billion yuan, expanding to 417.32 billion yuan. The Chinese market has seen increased demand for sleep-related products such as sleep aids, supplements, sleep jellies, bedding accessories, latex pillows, earplugs, and eye masks.

• Trends regarding overweight people

Due to poor consumption habits and decreased physical activity in recent years, the number of obese and overweight people in China reached 226 million in 2022. This rising number of obese individuals has led to rapid development in the weight loss industry in China. In 2022, the industry was valued at 443.47 billion yuan. Chinese consumers have a growing demand for weight loss-related products and services, such as weight-loss pills, diet foods, diet teas, and weight-loss-related organizations.

• Single people trend

According to data from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, there were approximately 100 million single people living in the same household in 2022. These single individuals have a steadily increasing demand for services and products, leading to the emergence of related businesses such as pet supplies, smart home appliances, virtual reality products, and ready-to-eat meals.

• The Live Streaming Trend

According to the 48th Annual Report on Internet Development Statistics, from January to June 2022, there were a total of 469 million live streaming user accounts in China, an increase of 204 million accounts compared to the same period the previous year. This data shows that the live streaming market in China is growing rapidly, reaching a value of 3 trillion yuan. 

 

4 Thai export businesses that are popular in the Chinese market.

Thai businesses are very popular among Chinese people, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in Chinese tourism to Thailand, making them a significant force in the Thai economy. This has led to increased popularity for Thai businesses as well. The top four most popular Thai businesses in China are: 

• Various dried fruits Most Chinese people love and buy large quantities of dried fruits from Thailand. This is because Chinese people already like Thai snacks. Combined with the unique taste that cannot be found in China, and the fact that they also meet health-conscious needs, Thai snacks and treats are very popular in the Chinese market.
• Cosmetics, skincare Due to the influence of Thai celebrities, actors, and singers who are popular in China, these types of products are particularly popular among Chinese teenagers who admire and follow Thai celebrities. As a result, these products, which often feature Thai teen stars, have gained fame and recognition in China. 
• drugThai products have been popular among Chinese people for a long time, from the past to the present, especially balm, throat lozenges, cough syrup, and even various brands of inhalers. The popularity of Thai medicine among Chinese people has not decreased even after many years; in fact, it continues to increase.
• Latex pillow The Chinese believe that latex pillows from Thailand are of excellent quality, and this belief has been passed down through generations. As a result, Thai latex pillows have been very popular in China from the past to the present.

 

If you want to break into the Chinese market, you need to know these online platforms well.

The Chinese market is considered the world's largest e-commerce market, and it's full of endless opportunities. Whether you want to expand your current business into the Chinese market or start a new one, it's easy; you just need to understand these Chinese online platforms.

• Weibo

Weibo is the largest social networking platform in China, with over 400 million users, making it arguably the number one social platform in China. Chinese users, especially Gen Y and Gen Z youth who often follow their favorite artists and idols, use Weibo as their primary social media platform. Brands utilize Weibo as a tool to reach consumers in the Chinese market. The platform's appeal lies in its focus on celebrity-led promotion, generating significant influence and word-of-mouth marketing, enabling rapid brand reach.

• Baidu

It is a major Chinese software and search engine provider, similar to the services of Google, which are widely used by most Chinese people.

• Wechat 

It's a chat platform for Chinese people with over 1 billion users. Even companies use it for work communication because inviting people to join a chat is very convenient and easy, often done via QR codes. It's become an app that's become an integral part of daily life for all generations of Chinese people.

• TikTok China (TikTok China) or Douyin

Douyin is a Chinese platform. Its immense popularity among Chinese users has made it the number one entertainment application in China and the second-largest in the Chinese digital advertising industry, surpassing Baidu. It holds the top spot in downloads, and while Douyin, or TikTok as it's known globally, is the same platform, it's only available for download within China.

• TouTiao

TouTiao is a news aggregation platform where users can read news and stories daily. It's considered one of the largest news update platforms in China, with 120 million daily users. Over 85% of TouTiao users are young adults aged 18-30, with 37.8% being freelancers, self-employed individuals, or owners of private companies. This makes TouTiao an ideal advertising platform for B2B businesses.

• Zhihu

Zhihu is a question-and-answer platform where users can write questions, provide answers, publish, or like answers or comments as a thank you. It also allows users to invite others to answer questions. Furthermore, Zhihu can create a professional-looking profile for brands.

 

Therefore, HelloAds has...Content creation and advertising services Or even promotional campaigns across the six key social media platforms crucial for penetrating the Chinese market: Weibo, Baidu, WeChat, Douyin, TouTiao, and Zhihu, whose importance was mentioned above.

If you are interested in starting marketing, especially to the Chinese market, but don't know where to begin and need more information, please contact us.Inquire about HelloAds You can hire an agency to provide full-service online marketing.

Comparison Chart of Chinese Platforms — Choose the Right One for Your Business

In short: If your product requires "belief before purchase," start with Xiaohongshu. If you want to "close the sale quickly," start with Douyin. And if you want a "long-term customer base," start with WeChat.

Platform	type	Strengths for the brand	Suitable for businesses
Xiaohongshu (RED)	Reviews + Lifestyle	Users search for real reviews before making a purchase.	Beauty, fashion, travel, food.
Douyin (Douyin)	Short video + e-commerce	Live selling and closing sales all in one app.	Affordable consumer goods.
WeChat	Chat + Mini Program	Build a loyal customer base, implement CRM, and manage your in-app store.	Every business that wants long-term relationships.
Weibo	Public social media	Create widespread buzz and a campaign for KOL.	Creating awareness at the mass level.
Baidu	Search engine	Reach people who are searching for information before making a decision.	B2B services and products that require a lot of research.
Dianping	Reviews of restaurants and services	Chinese tourists use the internet to find restaurants before their trip.	Restaurants, hotels, clinics, retail stores.

Two platforms need to be added to the plan in 2026.

Xiaohongshu (Xiaohongchu / RED)

Xiaohongshu has become a platform where young Chinese consumers use "search before buy" instead of traditional search engines. Its strength lies in its trustworthy user reviews. Thai brands selling beauty, fashion, food, or travel services should establish a presence on this platform before other platforms. Read how to strategize here. The Xiaohongshu marketing strategy for young Chinese consumers.

Dianping (Dazhongdianping)

Dianping is a restaurant and service review app used by Chinese tourists to find places to eat before traveling to Thailand. Businesses that cater to Chinese tourists but don't have a profile on Dianping are essentially missing out on consideration from this customer segment. Read more details here. What is Dianping? It's a review app actually used by Chinese people.

Frequently asked questions about marketing in China.

Which platform should I start with when beginning my marketing campaign in China?

Choose your strategy based on customer behavior, not platform size. For products where consumers research reviews before buying (beauty, fashion, travel), start with Xiaohongshu. For products with quick purchasing decisions and low prices, start with Douyin. For brick-and-mortar businesses catering to Chinese tourists, start with Dianping and WeChat. Building a successful strategy on one platform first and then expanding gradually is more effective than investing in multiple platforms simultaneously with the same budget.

What is the difference between selling to Chinese tourists in Thailand and exporting to China?

There are differences in both platforms and laws. Targeting Chinese tourists visiting Thailand focuses on Dianping, WeChat, and Xiaohongshu packages to help them find stores before and during their travels. Exporting to China, however, requires consideration of e-commerce channels, product registration, and additional import regulations, all of which involve significant costs and timelines. Brands should make a clear decision from the outset about which approach to take.

Do we need a team that speaks Chinese?

Essential — but not just translation. Literal translations of content from Thai or English often don't work with Chinese consumers because the communication styles, humor, and perceived credibility are different. What's needed is someone who understands both the language and culture of Chinese consumers, whether it's an internal team or an agency with a dedicated Chinese team.

Which is better to use, KOL or KOC?

Depending on the goal, KOL (Key Opinion Leader), with a large following, is ideal for building broad awareness and brand credibility. KOC (Key Opinion Consumer), with fewer followers but closer engagement, is better suited for generating numerous genuine customer reviews. Successful campaigns often combine both, with KOL creating buzz and KOC building trust. Read more at... Chinese influencers and KOL China that Thai brands need to know.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to see results?

There are no fixed figures, as it depends on the platform, the number of KOL, and the campaign size. However, a practical principle is to allocate a budget for testing on a single platform for 2-3 months first, measure results using real data, and then expand to other platforms. Distributing a small budget across multiple platforms simultaneously from the start is often insufficient to show significant results anywhere. Furthermore, no one can guarantee results in the Chinese market. Anyone promising specific figures before the campaign begins should be reviewed to see their calculation method.