Shared Market & Future: Top US firms producing in China, for China

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More than 180 American firms have brought their best technologies to the China import expo. Facebook, General Electric and DowDuPont are all in Shanghai despite the ongoing trade tensions, between the world's two largest economies. Cui Hui'ao brings us more on how some of these companies see their future in China.

Despite the absence of a US government delegation, there is a large presence of American companies here at the expo, especially at the intelligent equipment pavilion. One company in particular, GE, has brought its best industry solutions despite the ongoing trade war between China and the US.

RACHEL DUAN SENIOR VP, GE "It's simple for businesses. Wherever there is the global opportunity for business, that's where we go. Yes we are an American company but we really are a global company, for example, sixty percent of our revenue are coming from outside the US."

China is GE's second largest market after the U.S. But Duan says judging from sectors such as power, aviation, and healthcare, China will become the no.1 market in just a matter of time. And for Microsoft, a company that has been present in China for more than 25 years, its continued passion lies in helping Chinese companies go global.

ALAIN CROZIER VP, MICROSOFT "Take Sinopec as an example, we are helping them to really access to the cloud in such a way that gives them the flexibility to do their business outside of China. If you take Xiaomi as an example, we are embedding our technology of AI so that their solution can be used across from the world."

This explains why the software giant has brought its most advanced cloud systems to be displayed. More than 180 U.S. companies are attending the first-ever import gala hosted by China. That number ranks third among all countries and regions participating in the inaugural event.

CUI HUI'AO NATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER, SHANGHAI "The fact that these big US companies are not only present at the expo, but also led by their global executive directors shows their long term commitment to China's market, even at a time when tensions are still high between the world's two largest economies."

In a phone call with President Xi Jinping back on November 2nd, US President Donald Trump said he supports American companies' participation. Regardless of this possibly being a sign of warming relations, for U.S. top manufacturers, they've already made up their mind about their future plans.

ALEXA A. DEMBEK, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIVISION OF DOWDUPONT "To make sure that we can collaborate and innovate specifically for the Chinese market. Connectivity, smart transportation, and health awareness protection. It's our job to enable our solutions in this local market."

With all of these American firms operating in China, designing for China and benefiting from China, trade ties have seemingly not been severed. After all, there's a whole lot of business left to be done here. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN, Shanghai.