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Posted by David Sexton
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3 July, 2026
CHINA’S next trade advantage will occur from resilience and adaptability, not just scale, DP World Asia Pacific managing director and chief executive Glen Hilton says.
Mr Hilton was speaking following the release of data from DP World’s Global Trade Observatory that showed 58% of Chinese supply chain executives planned to increase suppliers and diversify sourcing this year.
The data showed growth priorities were led by technology and market access, with respondents citing deploying AI (50%), digitalisation (44%), growing demand from new markets and consumers (43%) and new value chains (34%).
The international survey, which included 292 supply chain and logistics executives in China, showed executives were looking to adapt to a changing trade environment.
When asked about strategic changes planned for 2026, the most popular option was increasing suppliers to diversify sourcing (58%), followed by near-shoring operations (38%), friend -shoring operations (36%), and increasing inventories (32%).
Businesses in China were said to be using logistics networks to build a more layered approach to resilience: more suppliers, more route options, more regional flexibility and more ability to shift as changes occurred to rules, costs and demands.
“China’s next trade advantage will come from resilience and adaptability, not just scale. Chinese companies are already diversifying suppliers, entering new corridors and investing in digital systems and AI,” Mr Hilton said.
“But that ambition creates most value when companies can see their cargo, switch between routes, clear borders, manage documentation and fulfil reliably across markets.
“What customers increasingly need is not a disconnected set of providers.”
According to DP World, technology emerged as the leading growth priority.
An emphasis on AI and digitalisation was also said to align closely with the direction set out at China’s Two Sessions, where new quality productive forces, including AI and advanced technologies, were positioned as central to the country’s next phase of economic development.
DP World reports seeing these themes reflected in its work with Chinese customers across sectors including e-commerce, automotive, fashion and luxury, food and beverage, healthcare and technology.
The Global Trade Observatory survey was conducted in November 2025 and included 292 supply chain and logistics executives in China.
A dedicated China Country Report with additional local insights is also available.
