College Students in Beijing Embrace Imported Products

As the opening of the first China International Import Expo approaches, some college students in Beijing have shared what they think about the overseas products being imported into China.

Undated photo shows Chinese customers picking out and purchasing imported products. [Photo: IC]

China's rising middle class have greatly contributed to the country's economic growth over the past few decades, thanks to its growing disposable income and increased capacity for consumption.

On track to being part of China's future middle class market,many students said imported products are not strange to them.

Food, followed by skin-care and cosmetic products, were the most commonly-purchased types of imported products.

"The overseas brands I know are mostly cosmetics brands, such as cosmetics made in South Korea, Japan, and the United States, and I've bought some that were made in the United States."

" I've heard of imported clothing, food, and beverage brands, and also automobiles. Actually, up till now I have bought quite a lot of imported products of different types, except for automobiles."

"I'm an overseas student from Thailand. I know some overseas cosmetics and digital camera brands. And I've always used cosmetics products made in the United States."

When asked why they chose to buy imported products instead of domestic ones, many said that they felt the imported products had a reliably high quality, while others said they do it for the opportunity to try something different.

But a small number of the students admit they are are just following popular trends.

"I buy imported basketball shoes a lot, because they are more comfortable to wear and can better protect my feet from injuries when I'm playing sports."

"I buy imported products for different reasons. Sometimes it's simply because I have bought it before and I want to buy it again. At other times, I buy them because they are not easily available in China and I want to taste something new."

"I buy cosmetics made in the United States in part because it's a trendy thing to do in college. Girls often talk about these overseas brands, and many girls don't want to be left behind."

Although the students bought some of the imported good through department stores or speciality brick-and-morter retailers, buying them online, or having friends bring them back from overseas, were also popular options.

"I buy them on e-commerce platforms such as NetEase's Koala. I also use an overseas procurement service, but it involves risks."

"I buy them through my friends, who often go abroad, or at specialty brand stores."

The students also suggested the upcoming International Import Expo will provide good opportunities for domestic brands to improve, which will benefit consumers in China's massive marketplace.