Paris, August 01, 2024, The Europe Today: While absent from the arenas of the ongoing Paris Olympics, Chinese merchants are making a significant impact off the field, contributing to the event’s sporty, joyful, and inclusive ambiance, reported by NHC.
Renowned for their superior quality at reasonable prices, made-in-China products have once again made their mark during the Games. According to data released by the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, 80 percent of the Phryges, the mascots of the Games, are manufactured in China. Chinese manufacturers are also leading the market for sports derivatives such as binoculars, cheering sticks, and fan scarves.
Chen Shaomei, a merchant from Yiwu, known as “the world’s supermarket,” highlighted the surge in demand. “Many of my friends selling cheering sticks have received bulk orders for the Paris Olympics. Most of the orders were delivered to overseas markets last month,” she said.
Endorsement of Quality
The high quality of made-in-China products received unexpected endorsement from a veteran Western reporter covering the Games. The reporter, who still uses a backpack for media professionals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, praised the durability and functionality of the product. His remarks have led to soaring e-commerce sales for the Chinese producer’s related products.
Promoting Chinese Culture
The Summer Olympics also saw fresh attempts by several Chinese brands and cities to offer the world a taste of diverse and profound Chinese culture. Last month, HEYTEA, a leading brand of Chinese new-style tea, made its Paris debut with a pop-up store designed as a traditional tea house. The store aimed to promote Chinese tea culture through innovative tea beverages. Additionally, China’s trendy toy maker Pop Mart opened an outlet near the iconic Louvre Museum, blending art and fun.
“The Olympics is a good platform to show ourselves to the world,” said Gu Yujia, vice president of strategy with HEYTEA. “The sales are good and the consumers really like us.”
City-Branding Efforts
Chinese local governments are intensifying their city-branding efforts this year, which marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. Guizhou, a scenic province in southwest China, launched a captivating photo exhibition at some metro stations in Paris, showcasing its unique culture and landscapes.
“Walking in Paris, one can run into China countless times,” the country’s tourism office in Paris stated on its WeChat account, underscoring the pervasive influence and presence of Chinese culture in the French capital during the Olympics.
