China is leveraging high-tech manufacturing, including 3D printers, to gain a competitive edge in global markets. In 2025, exports of high-tech products rose 13.2 percent, contributing to overall export growth. Shenzhen firms like Anycubic and Elegoo are expanding overseas through innovation and cost advantages, reaching over 150 countries and regions.
In Shenzhen, rows of 3D printers at Anycubic Technology Co Ltd's lab hum steadily, building precise models layer by layer to highlight their accuracy. Marketing director Chen Zhixing noted that Chinese-made 3D printers have gained strong overseas traction due to stable, high-quality customized output. The latest model cuts printing time and material use by 50 percent.
Applications of 3D printing span anime figurines, jewelry design, educational tools, and medical-dental uses. Chen stressed that stability is the top factor for consumers, followed by precision and efficiency.
At Shenzhen Elegoo Technology Co Ltd, co-founder Chen Bo said over 90 percent of products are exported, supported by a library of more than 100,000 downloadable designs ranging from toys to household items. These files drive demand among overseas users. The firm's revenue climbed to 2.5 billion yuan in 2025 from 1.6 billion in 2024, serving more than 150 countries and regions.
The Pearl River Delta hosts 90 percent of upstream suppliers for consumer 3D printers, creating an efficient ecosystem. Shenzhen Customs' deputy statistics head Cao Pengfei explained this clustering enables a two-hour supply chain, cutting costs and delivery times to boost global competitiveness. China Machinery Industry Federation expert committee deputy director Chen Bin pointed out that producing the same product in China costs under $1,000, versus $2,000 to $3,000 in the US.
China's 2025 exports totaled 26.99 trillion yuan ($3.88 trillion), up 6.1 percent year-on-year. High-tech products grew 13.2 percent, adding 2.4 percentage points to overall growth. National industrial profits reached 7.39 trillion yuan, up 0.6 percent, with intelligent consumer equipment manufacturing surging 48 percent.
In Nantong, Jiangsu, View Electronic Co Ltd's automated lines produce quantum dot televisions every 40 seconds for export. Sales head Wang Songbai highlighted innovations like anti-glare coatings for Middle East lighting and AI night eye-care models. Exports hit 420 million yuan in 2025, up over 15 percent, with large screens over 80 inches comprising more than 10 percent of value.
Roland Berger global managing director Denis Depoux stated Chinese firms hold advantages in speed, supply chain resilience, cost efficiency, and innovation. Technologies like electrification, automation, and AI will reshape product architectures and ecosystems.
