July 3, 2026
- 58% of China’s supply chain executives indicate plans to increase suppliers and diversify sourcing in 2026, according to data from DP World’s Global Trade Observatory.
- Growth priorities are driven by technology and market access, with respondents citing AI adoption (50%), digitization (44%), new markets and increased demand from consumers (43%), and new value chains (34%).
SHANGHAI, China – Despite recent disruptions and uncertainties across global trade, Chinese companies are focused on long-term growth strategies centered on supply chain resilience, AI adoption and access to new markets, according to DP World’s Global Trade Observatory.
This international survey of 292 Chinese supply chain and logistics executives shows that companies are looking beyond cost and scale as they adapt to the changing trade environment, with a clear focus on sourcing diversification, digital capabilities, new markets and practical trade facilitation.
When asked about strategic changes planned for 2026, the most popular option was adding more suppliers to diversify sourcing (58%), followed by nearshoring (38%), friend-shoring (36%) and increasing inventory (32%).
Chinese companies are leveraging their logistics networks to create a more layered approach to increasing resilience. That means more suppliers, more route options, more regional flexibility, and more ability to migrate as rules, costs, and demand change.
However, the impetus behind the change in strategy was not purely defensive. The strongest overall drivers of strategic change identified by Chinese supply chain executives included sustainability and ESG requirements, new technologies to enable operational changes, increased agility and resilience, local market trade policies and incentives, tariff response, and new market entry.
Glenn Hilton, CEO and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World, said:
“China’s next trade advantage will come from resilience and adaptability, not just scale. Chinese companies are already diversifying suppliers, expanding into new corridors, and investing in digital systems and AI. Increasingly, customers are not looking for a disconnected set of providers; they need operational partners who can connect the physical and digital layers of trade (ports, terminals, freight forwarding, customs, air transport). DP World is built to operate through that complexity at an international level, allowing businesses to keep moving as routes, rules and demands change.”
Technology has emerged as a top priority for growth. When asked about the key drivers of business growth over the next one to three years, 50% of respondents cited AI adoption, 44% cited widespread digitalization, 43% cited new markets and increased demand from consumers, and 34% cited new value chains.
This focus on AI and digitalization is also closely aligned with the direction laid out at China’s “Two Meetings,” where new high-quality productive forces, including AI and advanced technologies, were positioned as central to the country’s next stage of economic development.
DP World, which provides end-to-end supply chain solutions and handles approximately 10% of the world’s container trade, has seen these themes reflected in its operations supporting Chinese customers across sectors such as e-commerce, automotive, fashion and luxury goods, food and beverage, healthcare, and technology.
The company’s capabilities in China combine the reach of a global network with local operational expertise across freight forwarding, contract logistics, warehousing, customs and document support, ports and terminals, and technology-enabled supply chain visibility. It is designed to help customers reduce handoffs, improve control, and execute more reliably across borders.
Note to editor
The Global Trade Observatory survey was conducted in November 2025 and surveyed 292 supply chain and logistics executives in China. Percentages are rounded and add up to more than 100% for multiple choice questions.
A dedicated China country report with additional local insights is also available here
Hashtag: #DPWORLD
https://www.dpworld.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dp-world
https://twitter.com/DP_World
The publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DP World
DP World is reimagining the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. With a team of more than 125,000 employees and operations across six continents, we combine global infrastructure with local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From ports and terminals to marine services, logistics and technology, we use innovation to create better ways of doing business and minimize disruption from the factory floor to the customer’s door.
In Asia Pacific, DP World employs more than 12,000 people in 22 regions. We operate 16 ports and terminals, complemented by comprehensive end-to-end supply chain solutions, connecting the region and the world.
we create trade flows
