The booming artificial intelligence sector is significantly boosting global trade and logistics, and China's exports of evolving technological products such as electric vehicles, batteries, robotics and AI-related goods are likely to continue flourishing, said a senior executive.
Aditi Rasquinha, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Greater China, made the remarks in a recent exclusive interview with China Daily.
Global trade growth accelerated through mid-2026 despite rising geopolitical tensions and active conflicts. The AI boom has provided a major boost, with surging trade in semiconductors and other AI-related goods helping offset these headwinds, said a DHL Globalization Tracker report released in October.
Aligning with the global trend, Rasquinha said China's exports are also evolving significantly with the growing emergence of AI, automation, robotics, EVs, batteries, new energy, advanced manufacturing and more.
"China still continues to be one of the key trading partners for most countries, and it is bringing new technologies to the table. Whether it's AI, new energy or smart manufacturing, China plays a critical role in the transition," said Rasquinha.
She added that these fast-evolving sectors do not stand alone as a single product, but involve an extensive supply chain. For instance, logistics in the AI sector may include the supply of servers, semiconductors, chips, rare earth metals, cooling systems and other equipment to build data centers.
Having been coming to China for business for over two decades, Rasquinha has witnessed the nation's rapid and dramatic changes, both in terms of economic growth and social development. She was particularly impressed by the nation's fast speed of technological advancement and the continuous investment.
"China was like a factory of the world in the past, but today I think China leads in the sense of innovation, robotics and manufacturing, in ways that people find it hard to understand or comprehend unless they see it," said Rasquinha.
She said the country boasts many unparalleled advantages in manufacturing and supply chains, especially based on its favorable policies and regulations, easy access to talent with the ability to manage high-tech equipment, as well as the massive, large-scale and highly efficient transportation infrastructure including the railway network, airports, ports, robotics and automation facilities.
"I don't think any other country can compete with China in offering such combined competitiveness. I'm very optimistic on the future of China and its growth," said Rasquinha.
Now as the nation's exports continue to expand globally, the company remains firmly committed to the Chinese market, and is actively leveraging its expertise to help Chinese companies grow their presence overseas.
Over the years, the company has been investing in China in developing capabilities and expertise to meet the unique demands in handling specialized logistics for diverse high-tech products. In 2024, DHL Global Forwarding — the freight specialist of DHL Group — opened its latest EV Center of Excellence in Shanghai. Specialized in seamless and integrated end-to-end logistics for EV products, the center aims to support EV companies and related sectors in growing their presence, both locally and globally.
(Source: China Daily)