Editor's Note: Chen Jing is a lecturer in the Foreign Languages School at Hefei Normal University with a PhD in international relations. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As temperatures rose across Europe this summer, millions of families faced an urgent question: How to keep cool? For many, the answer is a Chinese-made air conditioner.

Chinese cooling products have seen strong demand in several European markets, especially portable split air conditioners designed for homes where traditional outdoor units are difficult to install. Though this may look like another seasonal sales story, in fact, it says much about China's manufacturing strength, its understanding of overseas markets and the real meaning of national competitiveness.

This is what may be called China's "cold power." It is not separate from hard power or soft power. It is the result of both working together to solve practical problems.

This "cold power" is built on strong industrial capacity. An air conditioner may be an everyday household appliance, but it requires research, components, skilled workers, energy-saving technology, logistics and after-sales service. China has developed such an ecosystem, which enables Chinese companies to produce at scale, control costs and respond quickly when demand rises.

Reports show that sales of one major Chinese air-conditioning brand in Western Europe increased by more than 70% in the first half of 2026, while some portable models sold out in several markets. That growth was not created by hot weather alone. It was made possible by years of investment in technology, supply chains and production capacity.

Hard power is often linked to military strength, strategic industries or major infrastructure. But the ability to supply affordable and reliable necessities is also a form of national strength. During extreme heat, cooling is not just about comfort. For the elderly, children and people with health problems, it can be a matter of safety. Industrial capacity becomes meaningful when it can meet such needs.

Chinese companies have succeeded because they understand the markets they serve. Many European buildings are old, and some cities restrict changes to historic facades. Installing a conventional outdoor unit may require permission from landlords, neighbors or local authorities. European consumers also care about energy use, noise, design and installation costs.

Chinese manufacturers did not simply export standard products and expect Europeans to adapt. They studied and localized their products. Some portable split systems can be installed without drilling through walls or permanently changing the outside of a building. Other models are quieter and more energy-efficient, reflecting local rules and consumer preferences. This is the softer side of China's "cold power."

Soft power is often discussed through culture, values or public diplomacy. But it can also be seen in the ability to listen, adapt and earn trust. Chinese companies are succeeding not only because they can make air conditioners, but because they can make the right air conditioners for European homes.

The popularity of these products shows how hard power and soft power reinforce each other. Manufacturing strength makes production possible. Market knowledge turns that capacity into products people actually want.

This is why the success of Chinese air conditioners cannot be explained by price alone. European consumers are also looking at performance, energy use, convenience and suitability. Their choices offer a clear judgment: Chinese products are gaining ground because they solve real problems.

This also raises a broader question for Europe. In recent years, discussions about China have increasingly focused on terms such as "strategic competition," "de-risking" and "systemic rivalry." Such debates may serve political purposes, but they should not distract from the daily concerns of ordinary people.

China and Europe are not simply competitors. Their economies and industrial chains are deeply connected and highly complementary. Europe has strengths in technology, standards and high-end manufacturing, while China offers comprehensive supply chains, strong production capacity and a vast market. The success of Chinese air conditioners in Europe shows how cooperation can turn these strengths into real benefits for consumers. Treating China mainly as a threat would only raise costs and weaken supply-chain resilience. What both sides need is more cooperation, not greater distance.

During a heatwave, families care less about geopolitical language than about whether they can cool their homes. Hospitals need safe indoor temperatures. Elderly residents need protection from heat-related illness. Consumers need affordable and reliable products. These are not minor issues. They are basic tests of governing ability.

The first duty of any government is to protect people and improve their lives. Grand narratives cannot replace reliable infrastructure, effective public services or access to essential goods. Nor should useful economic cooperation be treated as a threat simply because it involves China.

Europe has every reason to strengthen its industries and supply chains. But resilience does not mean rejecting products that people need. It means making sure society can obtain them, especially in times of urgency.

The story of Chinese air conditioners in Europe is therefore about more than trade. It shows how industrial strength, local understanding and practical cooperation can come together. China's "cold power" is not built on slogans. It is measured by products delivered, problems solved and trust earned. When the heat rises, the most convincing form of power is the power to provide relief.

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