QINGDAO --  As China continues to rise as a global manufacturing powerhouse, Hisense, founded in 1969, has emerged as a globally recognized giant in home appliances and consumer electronics, with operations established in over 160 countries.

Recently, Hisense Board of Directors Chairman Jia Shaoqian shared the remarkable journey of the company's transformation from a small radio workshop in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province to a multinational giant with a significant global footprint.
Despite its current success, Hisense started from humble beginnings. In 1969, a small group of workers established the Qingdao No. 2 Radio Factory.
By 1970, the factory was tasked with producing television sets, facing challenges such as a lack of technology and qualified personnel. After considerable efforts, they managed to create Shandong's first black-and-white television set, albeit with an annual output of only 80 units.
The pivotal moment came when China adopted the policy of reform and opening to the outside world in 1978. In the 1980s, when Hisense was considering the introduction of color television production lines, some suggested opting for the cheaper solutions.
By 1987, China had surpassed Japan to become the world's largest television producer, yet the core technologies and components were still largely imported. Hisense aimed to develop its own technology, only to be rebuffed by potential foreign partners.
After more than four years of efforts, Hisense succeeded in developing China's first television chip with independent intellectual property rights, breaking foreign monopolies. Within six months, the average prices of similar imported chips dropped by 30 to 60 percent.
Entering the 21st century, Hisense began to shift its focus onto international markets. Hisense established its internationalization strategy in as early as 2004.

To strengthen its marketing and gain recognition in overseas markets, Hisense began sponsoring major international sports events like the UEFA European Football Championship and the FIFA World Cup starting in 2016, helping global audiences become more familiar with the brand.
Despite increasing overseas market shares, Hisense faced new challenges, particularly high logistics costs due to a lack of international production bases.
To address this challenge, the company began acquiring overseas brands and establishing its own manufacturing facilities in other countries.
Industry data show that in 2024, Hisense shipped out 29.14 million television sets, capturing 14 percent of the global market shares, and ranking the second worldwide, while being the top seller in China.
As technology continues to advance, consumer demand for home appliances is also evolving. New technologies, including generative AI and big data, present historic opportunities for transformation in the home appliance industry, according to Jia.
With the company's transition from a tiny workshop to a global powerhouse, Hisense's story is one of relentless innovation, strategic foresight and a steadfast belief in competing on the world stage.