Hengxu Capital Hosts 'Exploring a New Era of Global Expansion, Setting Sail from Ningbo to the World' Hengyouhui Event

On March 13, Hengxu Capital’s “Hengyouhui” overseas expansion themed event was grandly held at the Pan Pacific Ningbo Hotel. Centered on the theme “Jointly Exploring a New Era of Global Expansion, Setting Sail from Ningbo to Conquer the World,” the event brought together more than 40 listed companies and leading enterprises across the industrial chain to discuss cutting-edge topics in the field of overseas expansion.

Mr. Xue Xiaowei, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government, delivered remarks at the venue. Secretary-General Xue pointed out that as an important port city on China’s southeastern coast and a key hub in the Belt and Road Initiative, Ningbo has always kept in mind President Xi Jinping’s earnest exhortation that “Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is a world-class powerhouse and a core strength.” With the goal of building a “modern coastal metropolis,” Ningbo is making every effort to establish itself as a high-level open and powerful city.

In his address, Mr. Wei Yong, Vice President of SAIC Motor, shared the company’s journey of global expansion. As a pioneer among Chinese automakers in “going global,” SAIC Motor has established a comprehensive automotive value chain overseas, encompassing R&D centers, manufacturing bases, marketing hubs, supply chain centers, and financial institutions, with its products and services reaching more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. Adhering to a development model that combines “independent innovation with openness,” SAIC Motor continues to refine its overseas ecosystem, facilitating a transition from mere product exports to the multidimensional export of technology, standards, and culture, thereby contributing Chinese insights to the new order of the global automotive industry. He noted that Hengxu Capital, as a market-oriented industrial investment arm strategically nurtured and supported by SAIC Motor, not only serves as a key investment window and outreach channel for the group but also leverages initiatives such as the “Hengyou Club” to aggregate resources across the industrial chain, promoting seamless integration of technology, capital, and markets. In doing so, Hengxu Capital has demonstrated exceptional professional expertise and a comprehensive service orientation in supporting enterprises’ international expansion. Looking ahead, SAIC Motor will continue to work closely with Hengxu Capital to jointly explore the vast opportunities in global markets.

Mr. Lu Yongtao, Chairman of Hengxu Capital, introduced the firm’s strategic layout and development vision in the field of overseas business. After more than five years of development, Hengxu Capital has received strong support from national-level government guidance funds, industrial partners, and numerous financial institutions. It has invested in over 150 companies and achieved 14 IPO exits. In its overseas operations, Hengxu Capital focuses not only on short-term financial returns but also places greater emphasis on long-term collaboration with portfolio companies to help them achieve their globalization goals. Currently, approximately 30% of its portfolio companies have expanded overseas, including Yangteng Innovation, Aikai Electric Appliances, and Zongteng Network, which have achieved significant success in the automotive parts, home appliances, and cross-border logistics sectors, respectively. Meanwhile, Hengxu Capital enhances the core competitiveness of its overseas-bound enterprises by acquiring new energy assets to obtain “carbon credits.” Looking ahead, Hengxu Capital will continue to empower companies with resources, helping them “go global” more extensively and effectively.

Mr. Li Xujun, Deputy Director of the Ningbo Investment Promotion Bureau, provided a detailed introduction to Ningbo’s locational advantages, industrial foundation, and policy support. As a major port city and manufacturing hub in China, Ningbo boasts a comprehensive industrial chain and an efficient business environment. In recent years, the Ningbo Municipal Government has provided robust support for enterprises expanding overseas by optimizing policy frameworks, strengthening infrastructure development, and promoting industrial upgrading.

Mr. Gao Ming, Chief Macroeconomic Analyst at Yongxing Securities, a subsidiary of Ningbo Financial Investment Holding Group, delivered a keynote presentation on “The End of the Strong Dollar and the Return of Manufacturing.” He pointed out that in 2025, the U.S. Dollar Index and U.S. Treasury yields have retreated from their highs, while global manufacturing is recovering from the shocks of rising energy prices and supply chain restructuring. He noted that multiple developments—including the acceleration of a new technological revolution, easing energy prices, and global monetary easing—will help drive China’s Producer Price Index (PPI) back into positive territory. He advised companies to seize opportunities amid deglobalization, promote industrial structure upgrading, and proactively manage exchange rate fluctuation risks.

Mr. Zhu Jiachun, Partner at Hengxu Capital, delivered an in-depth exploration of the new opportunities and challenges facing Chinese enterprises in the context of globalization, under the theme “Industrial Capital Empowering New Opportunities for Supply Chain Globalization.” As the global supply chain undergoes profound restructuring, Chinese companies are encountering unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As a pioneer in industrial capital, Hengxu Capital is committed to facilitating the global expansion of Chinese enterprises through investment, integration of industrial chain resources, and ecosystem empowerment. Currently, the global supply chain is shifting from being “cost-driven” to “security-driven,” with trends toward regionalization, nearshoring, and ally-shoring becoming increasingly pronounced. In this context, Chinese enterprises need to accelerate the establishment of global backup systems for their supply chains and upgrade local operations to build strategic depth. By sharing overseas expansion experiences with its portfolio companies, Hengxu Capital helps them address challenges such as policy compliance, cross-border team management, and supply chain coordination, thereby mitigating risks associated with going global. Finally, in empowering supply chain globalization, industrial capital focuses not only on short-term returns but also on long-term value creation. Through integrating industrial chain resources and providing ecosystem support, Hengxu Capital assists Chinese enterprises in transitioning from “product exports” to “brand exports,” ultimately achieving high premium valuation and sustainable development for global brands.

Mr. Zeng Tingdong, Assistant General Manager of the Corporate and Commercial Banking Division of Bank of China (Hong Kong), and Mr. Jiang Qiliang, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Finance Department of Taizihang Company, shared insights on the theme “Thailand’s Business Environment and Financial Services.” With the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, Thailand will continue to be a popular destination for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas. Leveraging its cross-border financial service capabilities and strategic presence in Southeast Asia, Bank of China (Hong Kong) will provide professional support to help these companies successfully expand into the Southeast Asian market.

Mr. Liu Yiming, Chief Analyst of the Automotive Industry at Haitong Securities Research Institute, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Breaking Down Barriers: Chinese Automobile Exports Enter a New Phase.” In 2024, China’s automobile exports reached 5.85 million units, including 2.23 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), demonstrating the strong competitiveness of China’s automotive industry. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands such as SAIC’s MG and BYD have already secured significant positions in the European market. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers face multiple challenges in their global expansion, including policy barriers such as the European Union’s imposition of countervailing duties on Chinese EVs and Russia’s increase in scrappage taxes. Furthermore, developed markets like Germany impose higher standards on vehicle performance and brand recognition, presenting additional hurdles for Chinese carmakers. To navigate the complex competitive landscape of the global market, Chinese automakers should continue to leverage their cost advantages from economies of scale, enhance their capabilities in the independent development of electric and intelligent vehicles, and strengthen their presence in emerging markets.

At the roundtable forum of this conference, moderated by Xiao Taiming, Managing Director of the Equity Investment Department at Hengxu Capital, distinguished guests gathered for an in-depth discussion on the theme “The Right Time for Enterprises to Go Global.” The panelists included Yang Yong, General Manager of the Customer Center and Head of Investment Banking Sales at Galaxy Securities; Peng Cheng, Global Strategic Advisor at Amazon AWS; Sun Shubao, General Manager of the Overseas Market Department at Haier New Energy; Ge Hongbing, Executive President of Xiezhong Technology; and Wang Mengjun, Chairman of Hongji Weiye.

Panelists shared practical experiences and strategic insights on corporate global expansion from multiple perspectives. In the face of adverse factors such as geopolitical tensions, they emphasized that Chinese enterprises must make thorough preparations for going global, including localized operations, compliance management, and cultural integration, with technological innovation and resource consolidation being key to success. Regarding their initial motivations for international expansion, the panelists stated that globalization is not only an inevitable choice for corporate development but also a crucial pathway to break through the bottlenecks of domestic market competition. Looking ahead, the panelists outlined a vision for the industrial ecosystem in the context of globalization. They argued that amidst the tech explosion, deglobalization trends, and supply chain restructuring, Chinese companies should actively integrate into the global value chain, promote technology export and standard-setting, while strengthening cross-cultural integration to build brands with global competitiveness.

This roundtable forum provided valuable insights and strategic guidance for enterprises expanding overseas, while also injecting new momentum and confidence into the globalization journey of Chinese companies.

The “Hengyouhui” Overseas Expansion Themed Event not only provided enterprises with a valuable opportunity for learning and exchange, but also established an important platform for cooperation between financial institutions and businesses. Meanwhile, it demonstrated to all stakeholders the capabilities of Hengyouhui and Hengxu Capital in supporting government initiatives, serving Limited Partners (LPs), and empowering enterprises, achieving favorable outcomes. Looking ahead, Hengyouhui and Hengxu Capital will continue to uphold the principles of open cooperation and innovative development, steadily promoting the growth of overseas business operations and creating greater value for enterprises.

The “Hengyouhui” event is a vital component of the Hengxu ecosystem. Building the Hengxu Capital ecosystem is a key strategic focus for Hengxu Capital’s future sustained growth, and we anticipate that our ecosystem capabilities will become a distinguishing feature setting us apart from other managers. By leveraging ecosystem empowerment, Hengxu Capital can deliver valuable value-added services to investors, partners, and portfolio companies. Through ecosystem connectivity, Hengxu Capital will establish more enduring and in-depth collaborative relationships with investors, partners, and portfolio companies, achieving multi-party win-win outcomes.

Hengxu Capital (AMAC Registration No.: P1070270), established in 2019, is a private equity investment firm under Shanghai Automotive Group Financial Holdings Management Co., Ltd. (“SAIC Financial Holdings”), the financial platform of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (“SAIC Motor”, 600104.SH). Leveraging SAIC Motor’s comprehensive industrial advantages and the efficient synergistic empowerment from SAIC Financial Holdings, its private equity investment segment is committed to strategically investing in emerging industries such as green mobility, mobility ecosystems, and health ecosystems. Its alternative investment segment focuses primarily on investment opportunities in photovoltaics and energy storage. The firm aims to deliver sustained and stable returns to investors while contributing to the development of SAIC Motor’s innovative industrial chain and the enhancement of its mobility ecosystem.

Hengxu Capital’s cumulative assets under management have exceeded RMB 40 billion, with investors including industry leaders, financial institutions, government entities, and market-oriented institutions. Its core team possesses extensive industry resources and rich experience in project and fund management, leading investments in dozens of high-quality enterprises such as CATL, Horizon Robotics, Jiehydrogen Technology, Tongxingbao, QingTao Energy, ChipON Microelectronics, Yihong Pharmaceuticals, and Shuaike Pet Care, supporting their growth into market leaders in their respective segments.