Chinese Exhibitors Reappear at CES 2025, Highlighting Resilience Amid US Tech Rivalry

The Resurgence of Chinese Exhibitors at CES 2025

CES 2025, the annual consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas, marks a notable rebound for Chinese exhibitors amidst escalating tech tensions between Beijing and Washington. More than 1,300 Chinese companies—comprising 1,212 from the mainland and 98 from Hong Kong—are set to showcase their latest innovations at this major expo organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

Significant Participation Despite Challenges

This year’s representation marks an increase from the 1,115 companies registered in 2024, although it still falls short of the record 1,551 exhibitors in 2018. Notably absent is ByteDance, with its popular TikTok application present but without the parent company showcasing.

• Notable Chinese exhibitors include Alibaba Group Holding with its AI division Alibaba Cloud.
• Missing are key players like BAIDU, US-sanctioned Huawei Technologies, and DJI, which faces Pentagon restrictions.

Impact of US-China Relations

Amid rising tensions, the US Department of Commerce is mulling proposals to limit China's access to the drone supply chain and advanced AI chips as AI surfaces as a critical battleground in this geopolitical landscape.

Key Trends to Watch at CES 2025

Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang is set to deliver a keynote, focusing on the unveiling of new AI graphics processors, while the focus also spans robotics, quantum computing, and autonomous driving technologies.

Hong Kong's Strong Presence

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is leading its largest-ever delegation to CES, showcasing diverse innovations in fields from sustainable technology to advanced electronics. The extent of participation could enhance Hong Kong's tech sector on a global scale.

The CTA anticipates that visitor numbers will surpass the previous year's 138,000, with a significant influx from international markets.