Scorching Europe drives surging demand for Chinese cooling products

As a severe heatwave continues to scorch Europe, it is not only rewriting weather records but also driving a huge surge in Chinese-made cooling products.

Citing data from China's customs, in June alone, China's exports of air conditioners increased by 72.8% year on year. In the first five months, China's exports of air-conditioning units to France, the Netherlands and Belgium more than doubled from last year.

"Installation costs are very high in Europe, and external wall-mounted units are often not permitted," said Hu Benchun, director of Ningbo Heallux International Trading Co., in an interview with CMG.

"Chinese-made portable air conditioners offer an alternative for Europeans to stay cool," Hu added.

Another key draw for European consumers is the balance between cool air and low-energy consumption of Chinese-made air conditioners, as Chinese manufacturers consistently reduce energy consumption with technology to meet global market demand and regulations.

Commenting on the surge in popularity of Chinese-made cooling products, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular press conference on Monday that both consumers and suppliers benefit in China-EU trade.

"Products that meet market demand and offer good quality at competitive prices will naturally win favor," said Mao.