Global brands continue to embrace Chinese market with localized, inclusive strategies

International brands like Ducati and L'Oreal reaffirmed their commitment to the Chinese market at the just-concluded fifth China International Consumer Products Expo in south China's Hainan Province, highlighting their localized strategies and expressing confidence in the country's evolving business environment and expanding consumer base.

Founded in 1926, Italian motorcycle brand Ducati is known for its superior performance and vibrant Italian designs.

Fabio Lambertini, CEO of Ducati China, said the company is constantly reaching new consumer segments.

"We have a lot of female riders and we are so proud of that. They are not scared about the speed, the power. These are very friendly to use," Lambertini said in an interview at the Hainan Consumer Products Expo.

He also highlighted the importance of Ducati's China strategy, adapting to local needs in myriad ways.

"This year actually is the third year and the level of expectation are quite high for us Ducati. China is very important at global level. That's why we are playing 'in China, for China' strategy, and that means that we are shaping our lineup of products, our leaders and our after-sales services based on the local needs," he said.

Being present in China for more than 20 years, L'Oreal has become one of the biggest beauty brands in China. It has been witnessing the enormous potential of women as key drivers of China's consumer market.

"Women have always had a natural inclination towards beauty. But today's female consumers are not only focused on beauty, but also on social responsibility and a sense of value. In response to this trend, L'Oreal not only offers high-tech and high-performance beauty products, but also focuses on social empowerment through various of public welfare projects, L'Oreal helps vulnerable groups and supports women's career development," Lan Zhenzhen, public relations president for L'Oreal North Asia and China.

"We have been participating in the Consumer Expo for five consecutive years. With China's continuously improving business environment, the growing consumer demand and the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port opening up the market even further. We can see the increasing integration of the Chinese market with the global market. Riding this wave, we are confident in our investments in China. We believe that investing China is investing in the future," Lan said.

Global brands continue to embrace Chinese market with localized, inclusive strategies

The United Nations on Thursday warned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in war-ravaged Sudan, and called for an end of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Addressing a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York City, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN continued to get "very disturbing" reports from Sudan, especially from North Darfur.

"In the past three weeks alone, the confirmed number of civilians killed in North Darfur was at least 542," the spokesman said, citing a statement from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued on the same day.

In the statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that "the horror unfolding in Sudan knows no bounds," adding that the attacks launched three days ago by the RSF on the besieged city of El Fasher and Abu Shouk camp killed at least 40 civilians, bringing the total death toll on the past three weeks to at least 542.

"The actual death toll is likely much higher," said the UN official.

Turk expressed his "all the greater" concerns for civilians trapped amid dire conditions in and around El Fasher as the RSF warned of "bloodshed" ahead of battles with the SAF and their associated armed movements, urging all out efforts to protect the civilians.

Reports of extrajudicial executions in the Khartoum state are also extremely disturbing, Turk pointed out, stressing that deliberately taking the life of a civilian or anyone no longer directly taking part in hostilities is a war crime.

The official said that he had personally alerted both leaders of the RSF and the SAF to the catastrophic human rights consequences of the war.

"These harrowing consequences are a daily, lived reality for millions of Sudanese. It is well past time for this conflict to stop," he said in the statement.

The SAF and RSF have been fighting a war since April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 14 million others, according to the UN and local authorities.

UN calls for end to conflict in war-torn Sudan