On July 26, in Paris, France, the Seine River was bustling with activities. During the opening ceremony of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games, athletes from various countries arrived by boat along the Seine, passing iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, finally reaching Trocadéro Square across from the Eiffel Tower.
Meanwhile, approximately 9,500 kilometers away from Paris, Olympic event supplies and high-tech products produced by Guangdong enterprises were setting sail, showcasing their strength. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. As China’s leading province in both economy and foreign trade, Guangdong has played a significant role in the history of China-France economic and trade relations. Riding the wave of the Olympics, Guangdong-France economic and trade cooperation is growing increasingly close, and cultural exchanges are continuously heating up.
According to statistics from the Guangdong branch of the General Administration of Customs, in the first half of this year, Guangdong Province’s imports and exports to France totaled 53.39 billion yuan, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year. Of this, exports amounted to 38.85 billion yuan, an increase of 11.5%.
The “Olympic Economy” is booming
“Made in Guangdong” products are picking up speed in the global presence
On the first day of the Paris Olympics, events such as the mixed doubles and singles group matches in badminton attracted significant attention. In the workshop of Heyuan OTIS Composite Sports Gear Co., Ltd., workers have been busy for more than half a year to ensure the smooth conduct of the competitions. They meticulously package and seal high-quality badminton rackets, which, after passing customs inspection, are shipped from ports to the European and American markets.
“The company’s European orders have significantly increased this year, with a notable rise in orders from France. Our orders are fully booked for the year, and in the first six months, our racket exports to France exceeded 35 million yuan, an increase of approximately 40% year-on-year. We expect the total exports to France to exceed 65 million yuan for the year,” said Huang Yuwen, the company’s deputy manager.
To help enterprises seize the benefits of the “Olympic Economy,” Heyuan Customs closely monitors the export orders of companies, guiding them to use the “advance declaration” model. This allows companies to complete customs declaration procedures during the preparation and transportation stages, enabling immediate inspection and release upon the goods’ arrival at the port. Additionally, in response to international market demands and company needs, Heyuan Customs continues to promote preferential customs policies, guiding companies to utilize services such as “intelligent review” and “self-service printing” of certificates of origin to expand overseas markets. From January to June, Heyuan Customs issued 46 certificates of origin for the company, with a visa amount of approximately 8.02 million yuan, helping the company enjoy about 800,000 yuan in tariff concessions from importing countries. Customs also arranged for key personnel to provide one-on-one support to major enterprises, guiding them to improve their internal quality control systems and enhance international competitiveness in terms of product safety and quality.
A batch of mountain bike frames from Dongguan Ten Tech Composite Technology Co., Ltd. will also be showcased at this year’s Olympics.
“Our company has always placed great emphasis on product research and development, driving improvements in bicycle performance and functionality. Currently, some of the lightest frames for certain racing bikes globally are developed and produced by us, and they are favored by many athletes. Besides the Olympic bike frames, we have continuously received overseas orders. Since the beginning of this year, all production lines have been operating at full capacity,” said Chen Qunhua, the customs affairs manager at Dongguan Ten Tech Composite Technology Co., Ltd.
Addressing the high material losses and difficulty in accurately declaring unit consumption of carbon fiber materials, paints, and other components used in bicycle parts production before export, Dongguan Customs provided tailored support for the company. They guided the company in participating in the pre-declaration unit consumption reform, allowing accurate declaration of unit consumption before account verification. This effectively reduced the company’s operational costs and the risk of non-compliance.
Chen Jinxian, the customs supervisor at Dongguan Quest Composite Technology Co., Ltd., also benefited from this, “We have experienced very smooth customs clearance processes, and the efficiency has improved. This has not only reduced our logistics costs but also created a favorable customs environment. We are confident in accelerating our expansion into overseas markets.”
While the “Olympic Economy” is booming, China-France cultural exchanges are also heating up. According to Ctrip data, as of now, the total number of orders for Chinese mainland tourists traveling to Paris during the Olympics (July 26 - August 11) has increased by 114% year-on-year. Hotel bookings in Paris by Chinese mainland travelers have increased by 194% year-on-year, and car rental bookings in France have increased by 126% year-on-year. Shenzhen and Guangzhou are among the top ten mainland cities for tourist arrivals in Paris.
At the same time, French tourists, taking advantage of the visa-free policy for entering China, have shown increased enthusiasm for traveling to China. According to Ctrip data, during the Olympic period, travel bookings to mainland China from Paris have increased by 72% year-on-year. Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Kunming have become popular destinations for French tourists visiting China.
Enhanced China-France trade interactions
Presenting numerous opportunities for brand internationalization
According to information from customs authorities, in the first half of this year, Guangdong’s exports to France were primarily focused on electromechanical products, with the “new three items” products standing out. From January to June, Guangdong exported 22.38 billion yuan worth of electromechanical products to France, an increase of 8.9%, accounting for 57.6% of Guangdong’s total exports to France during this period. Exports of the “new three items” products reached 1.73 billion yuan, an increase of 266.9%. Among these, exports of lithium-ion batteries amounted to 1.67 billion yuan, growing by 316%.
On the eve of the Paris Olympics opening, an impressive drone and fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower featured drones forming the Olympic rings, an Olympic torchbearer, and other shapes, lighting up the Parisian night sky. The 1,100 drones used in this performance were provided by HighGreat Innovation, Shenzhen’s national-level “little giant” enterprise specializing in innovative technology.
According to Hu Sixian, the company’s R&D Executive Director, the performance used nearly 600 meters of fireworks mounts, and the drone formation show at the Palace of Versailles will continue until September.
“Some indications suggest that China-France trade interactions are gradually strengthening,” Chen He, the Director of the International Service Economy Research Institute at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, told reporters. “Especially notable is the presence of Chinese enterprises, represented by Guangdong companies, at top-tier sporting events like the Paris Olympics. This not only signifies an important step in the internationalization of Chinese brands but also provides valuable opportunities for Guangdong, a major province in manufacturing and foreign trade.”
How can the “Olympic Economy” momentum be sustained to better cultivate the French market in the long term? In his view, the high local consumption level in France presents significant potential for brand expansion on the consumer side. For example, Guangdong already has companies like Midea and TCL with high penetration rates in the European market, and there are opportunities to continue leveraging market opportunities for greater breakthroughs. For more small and medium-sized enterprises, he suggests actively participating in trade shows in France and other regions to engage closely with French consumers and traders, enhancing brand awareness and market competitiveness.
Regarding future cooperation opportunities in Guangdong-France trade, Chen He believes that cross-border e-commerce is a highly promising direction. Leading cross-border e-commerce companies from Guangdong, such as SHEIN and Temu, are actively expanding into the European market. Additionally, the EU’s strong emphasis on low-carbon and green initiatives offers new development opportunities for Guangdong enterprises, particularly in the rapidly growing sectors like the “new three items.” Guangdong companies can further explore these potentials to achieve greater development.
