The exhibition area of Haier is pictured at IFA Berlin 2025 in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

China released its list of the country's top 500 enterprises in September, with 267 reporting operating revenues exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14.09 billion) in 2024, and 15 surpassing 1 trillion yuan. Chinese enterprises and brands are embracing growing momentum for development and innovation, making new strides toward high-quality development.

Innovation is the primary driving force. More and more Chinese enterprises are embracing scientific and technological innovation and building their own brands.

The world's first 300-megawatt compressed air energy storage demonstration project, "Nengchu-1," achieved full capacity grid connection and began generating power in Yingcheng, central China's Hubei Province, at the beginning of this year.

The project set three world records for single-unit power, energy storage capacity, and conversion efficiency. All key core equipment and deep underground space utilization products were developed with total technological self-reliance, said Ni Zhen, general manager of China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, which built the project.

The safety lab of China's automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is equipped with eight tracks that can simulate 9,000 unexpected situations. A high-speed camera system captures 400 frames within just 0.1 seconds after a crash, while sensor-equipped dummies, each costing several million yuan, record every detail of the impact. The traction system allows for speed tests of up to 120 kilometers per hour.

"The lab independently developed key equipment, including the traction system, obstacle avoidance, and test benches. It is the world's first self-developed laboratory by an automaker capable of conducting both active and passive safety tests," said Wei Jianjun, chairman of GWM.

China National Nuclear Corporation demonstrates its strength in nuclear technology innovation through an array of projects, including the Hualong One nuclear reactor, Linglong One nuclear reactor, and China's first industrial-use nuclear energy steam supply project, Heqi No. 1.

The company has exported seven nuclear power units and eight nuclear research facilities to eight countries, with its business now spanning over 170 countries and regions.

Chinese tech giant Baidu invests more than 20 percent of its annual revenue in research and development, building a complete artificial intelligence technology ecosystem spanning chips and frameworks to models and applications. Baidu AI Cloud now serves over 65 percent of China's centrally administered state-owned enterprises, all systemically important banks, 95 percent of major automakers, and more than half of gaming companies.

Quality is associated with people's pursuit of a better life and underpins overall economic and social development. Increasingly, Chinese companies are making efforts to enhance product value and strengthen brand reputation, with many domestic brands featuring Chinese design elements winning widespread popularity.

In deep processing, Chinese dairy giant Yili has tackled technical challenges in key ingredients like lactoferrin and desalinated whey, fully unlocking milk's nutritional potential. The overall level of its raw milk, in terms of protein, fat, somatic cell count, and total bacterial count, exceeds EU standards. Yili has been recognized as the world's most valuable dairy brand for six consecutive years.

Xifeng Liquor, a Chinese liquor brand, now sells products in 26 countries and regions and has launched a series of events themed on the Silk Road, bringing performances of Qinqiang Opera from northwest China's Shaanxi Province, "Huayin Laoqiang," a traditional Chinese opera, and other traditional arts to audiences worldwide.

Haier, a global leader in household appliances and innovation, has ranked among the World Brand Lab's "World's 500 Most Influential Brands" list for 21 consecutive years. In 2024, it reported a 13 percent year-on-year increase in global profits and employs over 130,000 people globally. In March 2025, Haier launched a three-tub washing machine in China, which has now entered markets in Southeast Asia and gained recognition for its practical functionality and smart features.

Chinese companies are increasingly making their mark on the global stage. State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) actively participates in high-level international energy cooperation, with 12.11 million kilowatts of overseas installed capacity, 74 percent of which is clean energy.

China's electrical appliance giant Hisense is advancing AI applications, with its self-owned overseas brands accounting for 85.6 percent of sales. China's sportswear brand Anta continues to innovate in high-tech fabrics and technology patents, becoming an official supplier of sportswear uniforms to the International Olympic Committee.