People wait outside the newly opened Anta sports store in Beverley Hills, California, on Feb 13. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Fujian province recorded a 10.5 percent increase in new private enterprise registrations and an 8.1 percent rise in value-added output from large-scale private industrial enterprises in the first quarter of 2026. Private firms contributed 71.8 percent of the province's total industrial growth as China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

Driven by the "Jinjiang experience" — a development model centered on private-sector innovation and industrial upgrading — Fujian's traditional manufacturing industries are accelerating their shift toward technology-driven production.

In Jinjiang, the footwear sector now includes more than 7,000 enterprises, including major brands Anta, Xtep, and 361 Degrees. In February, Anta opened its first North American flagship store in Los Angeles. It plans to establish 1,000 retail outlets across Southeast Asia by 2028.

Industrial upgrades are increasingly defined by automation and customization. Fujian Putian Shuangchi Sports Goods uses 15-second digital foot-scanning technology to produce customized footwear within one hour. In Jinjiang, Huabao Intelligent (Fujian) Technology has deployed AI-powered robots capable of performing complex assembly tasks through video-based training.

Fujian's high-tech sector grew 15.9 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, with industrial investment rising 7.9 percent. Since January, the province has rolled out a series of measures to support the private economy, including updated regulations, a high-level entrepreneur symposium, and a 2026 action plan to advance the "Jinjiang experience".