China companies making vast inroads into South-east Asia

AS CHINA finally did away with its prolonged Covid-19 restrictions in the early part of 2023, the rest of the year saw scores of Chinese companies begin or resume their overseas expansion plans.

The country’s tepid domestic market and a global trend of revenge spending led to many Chinese businesses big and small feeling the pressing need to venture overseas, with South-east Asia regarded as the top destination of most.

The Business Times looks at the performance and outlook of some Chinese companies in the region across different industries. Here’s what to expect in the coming year.