Interview with National People's Congress Representative and Gree Electric Appliances Chairman Dong Mingzhu: Does Not Endorse Entrepreneurs Creating Personal IP for Self-Promotion; Entrepreneur IP is a Responsibility Guarantee to Consumers

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Zhang Rui, Zhou Yifei
Edited by | Dong Xing Sheng

“Intelligence” has been a hot word at this year’s Two Sessions.

This year’s Government Work Report explicitly proposed creating a new form of intelligent economy. Deepening and expanding “Artificial Intelligence +”, promoting the rapid adoption of next-generation intelligent terminals and agents, encouraging large-scale commercialization of AI in key industries, and cultivating new business models and formats rooted in intelligence.

How to understand “intelligent economy”? What is your view on “machine replacing humans”? How can policies for old-to-new upgrades be optimized to truly activate the stock market? What standards should a regulated second-hand home appliance market establish? How do you view the relationship between entrepreneurs’ personal IP and corporate branding? How can we transform from a “world factory” into a “world brand”?

Focusing on these questions, during the National Two Sessions, Daily Economic News (hereinafter NBD) conducted an on-site interview with NPC Deputy and Gree Electric Appliances Chairman Dong Mingzhu.

In the interview, Dong Mingzhu affirmed the positive role of AI, believing that automation greatly improves factory efficiency, but also firmly stated: “AI is fundamentally a tool; it can never replace humans.” While she agrees that intelligent development is the direction, she does not think all enterprises, big or small, with different circumstances, need to pursue automation.

AI is fundamentally a tool that can never replace humans

NBD: This year’s Government Work Report proposed creating a new form of intelligent economy. “Intelligent economy” was written into the government work report for the first time. How do you understand “intelligent economy”?

Dong Mingzhu: Regarding the intelligent economy, the hottest topic now is AI. But I believe, AI is fundamentally a tool. As technology develops, tools will become more flexible, but they can never replace humans. Currently, we are applying AI in production processes and products, but initial design still relies on human effort. During product iterations, AI can achieve specific functions, such as air conditioners equipped with AI systems that can learn and explore patterns over long-term operation, then optimize and recombine these patterns—these are possible directions.

NBD: The government work report mentions expanding intelligent manufacturing, building new smart factories and intelligent supply chains. We know Gree’s Jinan Smart Manufacturing Factory was selected as one of the first pilot-level smart factories. From your perspective, what impact or changes has an intelligent factory brought to manufacturing enterprises?

Dong Mingzhu: For us, mainly efficiency has improved. Take our assembly and integration smart workshop as an example: a 480-meter-long outdoor unit production line that traditionally required over 70 workers now only needs about 20. But equipment and robots still need operators; the work has simply changed. So, machines are not replacing humans entirely; humans are just working differently.

Gree Smart Manufacturing Factory Photo Source: Company Provided

NBD: Are the reduced workers moving to other positions?

Dong Mingzhu: Personnel adjustments are mainly based on actual company needs. For example, the screw-driving job no longer exists. Also, welders—there used to be specialized welding exams with high technical requirements—are now replaced by machines. These workers need to transition into equipment management roles.

NBD: Under the wave of manufacturing automation, how do you think enterprises and the government should collaborate to alleviate employment anxiety caused by “machine replacing humans”?

Dong Mingzhu: I think there’s no need to deliberately resolve it. The development of enterprises itself requires automation; it’s a major trend and direction. But having this direction doesn’t mean all enterprises, big or small, with different circumstances, must pursue automation. I even see some changes in daily life scenarios—cafes now use robots to serve coffee, replacing waitstaff. I believe, in service sectors, people are still more desired than machines. Because machines are cold; they lack emotion. Long-term, this kind of interaction can make people less emotional.

Currently, many automated household appliances still lack precision

NBD: Gree’s diversification has always attracted attention—from mobile phones to chips, and now to CNC machines and silicon carbide chips. What considerations guided your layout in these sectors?

Dong Mingzhu: We have this idea from the start. The development of intelligence is systematic; it can’t rely on just one converter to define it as intelligent. I believe, it’s more about researching direct connectivity between objects and between humans and objects.

Take chips as an example: we develop chips because household appliances rely on a large number of chips, and technological upgrades are closely related to chips. If we have to buy all chips, how can we achieve independent innovation? We would only be forever lagging behind others. So, we started a full-chain layout for chips early on, covering design, manufacturing, and packaging.

In the future, our chip usage will continue to grow, with the ultimate goal of full independence and control. Only by mastering key core technologies can we serve the world. We don’t need to rely on others; instead, we want to empower others. That’s how a company’s value is truly reflected.

NBD: Gree has announced it will continue to focus on the development of household service robots. With Gree’s deep understanding of home scenarios, what is the first “pain point” that a Gree-made household service robot should solve? Is it cleaning, cooking, or elderly companionship? How will it coordinate with Gree’s existing “Healthy Home” full-house smart ecosystem?

Dong Mingzhu: Robot vacuum cleaners have been around for a while. To make them more precise in solving household pain points, continuous technological upgrades are needed. In fact, many so-called automated household appliances are still not perfect; their service accuracy needs improvement. Gree has launched products like vacuum cleaners and dust collectors, but we hope to make all appliances as well-known as air conditioners, to go beyond China and become global brands.

Image Source: Daily Economic News Reporter Chen Pengli

Strict regulation of second-hand home appliances market is essential

NBD: The government work report for 2026 mentions allocating 250 billion yuan in ultra-long-term special bonds to support the renewal of consumer goods through old-to-new exchanges, emphasizing “optimizing policy implementation mechanisms.” How do you view the shift this year from “expanding coverage” to “improving quality”? What policy optimizations do you think are needed to truly activate the home appliance stock market?

Dong Mingzhu: In recent years, the home appliance market has shifted from an “incremental” era to a “both incremental and stock” era, with large numbers of existing units and scrapped appliances. But I believe, policies alone cannot move the stock market. More importantly, market regulation must be strengthened to ensure policies are effectively implemented. We must prevent some from profiting through falsehoods or tricks—that’s the most important.

NBD: You proposed “standardizing the second-hand home appliance market” this year. We notice that many second-hand appliances are refurbished and resold, which poses safety risks. What are your thoughts on this?

Dong Mingzhu: The government has invested significant effort and funds to stimulate consumption. But when old appliances are refurbished and re-enter the market after subsidies for new ones, it’s effectively the same appliance being counted twice, which doesn’t expand the market and may even reduce demand for new products.

NBD: What standards should a well-regulated second-hand home appliance market establish?

Dong Mingzhu: Regulating the second-hand market requires decisive action: either completely ban second-hand sales or establish strict inspection agencies to ensure each product meets standards. Otherwise, the impact of the second-hand market can be destructive, posing safety risks to consumers. Consumers may see the lower price but overlook safety and health issues—refurbished appliances often use chemical agents for cleaning, and residual toxins can be harmful.

NBD: As a manufacturer, has Gree considered establishing an official second-hand circulation or traceability system?

Dong Mingzhu: Actually, we have a second-hand home appliance recycling platform called “Mingzhu Green Ring Recycling.” It’s part of our autonomous practice of producer responsibility extension. We’ve built a “green design—green manufacturing—green recycling” circular development model, providing consumers with integrated services for delivery, installation, and collection, achieving green, circular, and sustainable development.

Strengthening the recycling system for discarded appliances not only makes old-to-new exchanges more convenient but also promotes resource recycling, which is very important for high-quality industry development and achieving “dual carbon” goals.

Currently, Gree has established six recycling bases nationwide. By the end of 2025, Gree will have processed over 73.31 million discarded electrical appliances and electronic products, converting them into recycled copper, iron, aluminum, and plastics totaling about 1.0598 million tons. Using the latest energy-saving and carbon-reduction standards, Gree’s resource recycling has reduced CO2 emissions by 1.3509 million tons.

Disagreeing with entrepreneurs creating IP for self-promotion

NBD: Your recent suggestions include “promoting coordinated development of online and offline commerce.” On March 6, at the economic-themed press conference, Minister Wang Wentao of the Ministry of Commerce mentioned that during the Spring Festival, offline physical retail growth surpassed online for the first time in recent years, driven by consumer exchanges like “LeGou New Year” activities. Given Gree’s channel reforms over the years, what role do you see for online and offline channels?

Dong Mingzhu: I believe a city must have a vibrant storefront scene. Without stores, it becomes increasingly cold and lifeless. Such environments lead to a society that feels cold, with less social interaction.

NBD: Do you have any suggestions for the coordinated development of online and offline channels?

Dong Mingzhu: The key is integrating online and offline channels. That’s the only way to fundamentally solve the problem. So, Gree now has “Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home,” where consumers can visit stores to experience and interact, and also place orders online for pickup at the store.

Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home Image Source: Company Provided

NBD: Over the years, you have become Gree’s most distinctive IP. Your frankness and resilience have left a deep impression. In an era of fragmented information and influencer economy, how do you view the relationship between an entrepreneur’s personal IP and corporate branding?

Dong Mingzhu: If we can reshape consumer perceptions of Gree’s appliances, then I think “Dong Mingzhu” as a name is the most meaningful. Because everyone knows Dong Mingzhu is the legal representative and chairwoman of the company, responsible for the enterprise. That responsibility is a guarantee of market and consumer trust, the most responsible choice for consumers.

Malicious IP creation by entrepreneurs for self-promotion is something I do not agree with. People say I have IP, but I don’t see myself as an internet celebrity. I focus more on our products, building trust in sales. Consumers trust Gree, which is why they are interested in me personally. I won’t deliberately create IP online, but many companies talk about not doing it, yet secretly develop their own IP.

Chinese manufacturing must go global, not just through simple product exports

NBD: Gree advocates “Let the world fall in love with Made in China,” from product exports to brand and standard exports. In the context of changing global trade patterns, how do you think Chinese brands can truly shift from “world factory” to “world brand”?

Dong Mingzhu: I’ve always said, third-rate companies make products, second-rate companies build brands, first-rate companies set standards. For a long time, Chinese manufacturing was labeled as low quality and low price, with low international recognition. Most exports were OEM, not independent brands. To go global, Chinese manufacturing must leverage brand power, not just product output.

In this context, I believe we should have the ability to make the world love Made in China. That’s why I proposed this slogan—to turn pressure into motivation. Gree air conditioners enjoy a good reputation worldwide, recognized for quality, which is a typical example of “Let the world love Made in China.”

Earlier, I mentioned that first-rate companies set standards. In June last year, we led the global release of two ISO standards for refrigeration compressors—an example of “standard going abroad.” Ultimately, consumer needs are the true standards. These standards becoming international standards show that through Gree’s efforts, we aim not only to produce good products but also to provide new standards for all compressor manufacturers worldwide. Our joint efforts to create green energy environments and provide technological support are the real significance of these international standards.