China remains open to international businesses, although the nature of this openness has evolved significantly. As China’s economy has matured and its population has begun to age, the country increasingly prioritises sectors that contribute advanced knowledge, innovation, and long-term value.

中国仍然对国际企业持开放态度，不过这种开放的性质已经发生了显著变化。随着中国经济日趋成熟以及人口结构老龄化的加重，国家越来越重视那些具有先进知识、创新产品以及长远价值的产业领域。

“China has shifted from being primarily a low-cost manufacturing hub, toward a model emphasising innovation and technological development. Once known for the label, ‘Made in China’, the country is now positioning itself as ‘Developed in China’,” says de Boer.

Mathijs de Boer先生指出：“中国已不再仅仅是昔日的“世界工厂”，向科技创新与技术研发转型。这个曾以‘中国制造’闻名的国家，如今正致力于打造‘中国智造’的新形象。”

This shift means that international companies active in high tech, environmental technologies, life sciences, and other specialised knowledge industries often find a more receptive environment.

这种转变意味着那些活跃在高科技、环保技术、生命科学及其他高精尖知识产业领域的外国企业，更容易在中国市场找到舒适区。

“However, foreign companies that still view China exclusively as a cheap production location may encounter more challenges than before. Geopolitical tensions, especially in high-tech fields, have also created a more complex operating environment,” he adds.

他补充道，“然而，那些仍将中国仅仅视为廉价生产基地的外国企业，或将面临着比以往更严峻的挑战。地缘政治紧张局势加剧，特别是在高科技领域，也给他们带来更艰难的运营环境。”

“Nevertheless, China remains willing to collaborate with international partners who contribute meaningfully to its future development.”

“尽管如此，中国仍然欢迎那些能够对其未来发展做出实质性贡献的国际伙伴开展合作。”

According to de Boer, important market opportunities exist in sectors aligned with China’s national development priorities, including:

• Food and agriculture

• Healthcare and elderly care

• Water technology and water management

• Environmental engineering

• Urban redevelopment and sustainable architecture

• Energy transition and clean technologies

Mathijs de Boer先生指出，重大市场机遇存在于那些能够契合中国国家发展重点项目的领域，具体包括：

• 食品与农业；

• 医疗保健与老年护理；

• 水处理技术与水资源管理；

• 环境工程；

• 城市改建与可持续建筑；

• 能源转型与清洁技术。

He explains: “China’s water sector offers particularly strong potential due to the country’s long-standing water quality challenges, rapid urbanisation, and climate-related risks.”

对此，他解释道：“由于长期存在水质问题、城市化过快以及气候相关风险，中国的水务行业有着无比巨大的市场潜力。”

Below, de Boer outlines some of the current opportunities:

Mathijs de Boer先生列出了一些当前水务市场的机遇，主要体现在如下方面：

• Advanced wastewater treatment and reuse

  “China continues to upgrade municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants to meet stricter national discharge standards. Technologies such as membrane bioreactors (MBR), advanced oxidation, sludge-to-energy solutions, and nutrient recovery systems are in high demand.”

  先进的废水处理与再利用技术

  “中国的市政管网与工业废水处理厂不断地进行设备升级与改造，以满足越来越严格的国家排放标准。顶尖技术比如膜生物反应器（MBR）技术、高级氧化技术、污泥能源化解决方案及营养盐回收系统等需求旺盛。”

• Agricultural water efficiency and precision irrigation

  “Water scarcity in northern China is driving interest in foreign expertise in drip irrigation, smart irrigation sensors, soil moisture monitoring, and digital agriculture technologies. These solutions help reduce water usage while improving crop yields.”

  农业用水效率与精准灌溉

  “中国北方长期水资源匮乏，因此人们对引进国外成熟的滴灌技术、智能灌溉系统、土壤湿度监测系统及数字农业技术等兴趣浓厚。这些技术方案既能有效降低农业用水量，又能提升农作物产量。”

• Industrial water purification for high-tech manufacturing

  “China’s semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries require ultra-pure water solutions. This creates opportunities in desalination, ultrapure water filtration, and industrial water recycling.”

  高科技制造业所需的工业净水技术

  “中国的半导体、生物制药及食品加工业都需要超纯水解决方案，因此海水淡化技术、超纯水过滤技术及工业废水循环利用技术可以大展拳脚。”

• Flood control and climate resilience technologies

  “Increasingly severe rainfall and flooding events have accelerated investment in flood management tools, such as smart pumping systems, real-time monitoring, nature-based solutions, and sponge city technologies.”

  防洪抗旱和气候适应技术

  “随着强降雨和洪水事件的频发，城市防汛管理系统的投入也在逐年增加，引进了例如智能水泵系统、实时 监测系统、基于自然的解决方案以及海绵城市技术等。”

• Coastal protection and salinisation control

  “Rising sea levels continue to affect coastal regions. Foreign firms with expertise in dike reinforcement, saline intrusion barriers, and coastal zone modelling offer valuable solutions.”

  海岸防护与土壤盐渍化管理

  “持续上升的海平面不断地影响着沿海地区，给那些在堤坝加固、海水入侵屏障及海岸带建模领域经验丰富 的外国企业提供了大展宏图的机会，他们可以提供非常有价值的解决方案。”

International companies that bring advanced expertise and demonstrate a cooperative approach continue to find substantial opportunities in China’s water-related industries.

具备先进的专业技能并展现出良好合作精神的外国企业，将在中国的水务行业如鱼得水，找到大量发展机会。

China offers several distinct advantages:

• World-leading infrastructure and highly efficient logistics

• Deep, integrated supply chains across most sectors

• A large, motivated, and increasingly skilled workforce

• Strong execution speed and a results-driven culture

• Collective focus on achieving shared objectives.

中国有以下几项显著优势：

• 全球顶尖的城市基础设施与高效的物流体系

• 跨区域跨产业的高度一体化供应链

• 有动力有技能的庞大劳动力群体

• 强调快速执行力与结果导向的企业文化

• 全体力量同心协力实现共同目标

China’s work culture emphasises perseverance, efficiency, and rapid problem-solving. Individuals work autonomously, but with a shared commitment to collective goals, enabling companies to implement projects quickly and effectively.

中国的企业文化强调勇于拼搏、高效率和快速解决问题，强调个人工作的自主性积极性、大家共同努力完成集体目标，从而使企业能够快速高效地实施项目。

“Overall, China continues to offer substantial opportunities for foreign companies,” de Boer concludes. “Especially those that align with strategic national goals, invest in long-term partnerships, and bring unique technologies or expertise, including in the water technology sector.”

Mathijs de Boer先生总结道：“总而言之，中国市场仍然能够为外国企业提供重大的发展机遇，特别是那些符合中国国家战略发展目标、注重长期投入与合作、并具备独家技术或专业优势的企业，包括水处理技术领域遥遥领先的企业。”

The full report can be read here 完整报告可在此处阅读:

https://www.aquatechtrade.com/water-stories/water-treatment/interview-china-remains-open-and-welcoming-to-international-water-companies