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”? How to view “machine replacing human”? 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 to 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) interviewed National People’s Congress (NPC) Deputy and Gree Electric Appliances Chairman Dong Mingzhu on-site.

In the interview, Dong Mingzhu affirmed the positive role of AI, believing that intelligence 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 situations, need to pursue automation.

AI is fundamentally a tool that can never replace humans

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

Dong Mingzhu: Regarding intelligent economy, the hottest topic now is AI. But I believe, AI is essentially a tool. As technology develops, tools will become more flexible, but they can never replace humans. Currently, we are applying AI in production 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 proposes expanding intelligent manufacturing, building new smart factories and intelligent supply chains. We know Gree Jinan Smart Manufacturing Factory was selected as one of the first pilot-level smart factories. From your observation, what impact or changes has a smart 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, which traditionally required over 70 workers, now only needs about 20. But equipment and robots still need operators; the work has changed. So, machines do not replace humans entirely; humans still have jobs.

Gree Smart Manufacturing Factory Photo Source: Company Provided

NBD: Are the reduced workers moving to other positions?

Dong Mingzhu: Workforce 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: In the wave of manufacturing automation, how do you think enterprises and the government should collaborate to alleviate employment anxiety caused by “machine replacing human”?

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, like coffee shops using robots to serve coffee, replacing waiters. 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. When planning these sectors, what considerations guided you?

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 intelligence. I believe, more importantly, is to research the direct connectivity between objects and between people and objects.

Take chips as an example: we develop chips because home appliances rely on a large number of chips, and technological upgrades are closely related to chips. If we have to buy all chips, where is the innovation? We would always be 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; we aim to empower others, which reflects the value of our enterprise.

NBD: Gree has stated 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 an ideal “Gree-made” household service robot should solve? Is it vacuuming, cooking, or elderly companionship? How will it coordinate with Gree’s existing “Healthy Home” full-house smart ecosystem?

Dong Mingzhu: Vacuum robots 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 is not precise enough, and technology needs to keep improving. Gree has launched vacuum cleaners, dust collectors, and related products, 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 mentions, in the 2026 government work tasks, allocating 250 billion yuan in ultra-long-term special bonds to support consumption upgrades and replacements, emphasizing “optimizing policy implementation mechanisms.” How do you view the shift this year from “expanding coverage” to “improving quality”? How can policies be optimized to truly activate the home appliance stock market?

Dong Mingzhu: In recent years, the home appliance market has shifted from an “incremental” era to an era emphasizing both “incremental and stock.” The overall ownership and scrapping rates are huge. But I believe, policies alone can’t move the stock market. More important is strengthening market regulation to ensure policies are effectively implemented, preventing some opportunists and fraudsters from profiting, which is crucial.

NBD: You proposed “standardizing the second-hand home appliance market” this year. We notice 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, it effectively creates two units from one, without expanding 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: To regulate the second-hand market, we must be determined—either ban it completely or establish strict testing agencies to ensure each product meets standards. Otherwise, the impact of the second-hand market can be destructive, posing safety risks to consumers. Consumers see the lower price but may overlook safety and health issues; refurbished appliances often use chemical agents for cleaning, and residual toxins can harm health.

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.” This is part of our autonomous practice of extended producer responsibility. We’ve built a “green design—green manufacturing—green recycling” circular development model, providing consumers with integrated “pick-up, installation, and collection” services, achieving green, circular, and sustainable development.

Strengthening the recycling system for old appliances helps facilitate upgrades, promotes resource recycling, and 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 has 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.

Disagree with entrepreneurs creating IP solely for self-promotion

NBD: Your recent suggestion also includes “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, driven by consumption upgrades like “LeGou New Year” activities—this was the first time in recent years. Given Gree’s channel reforms over the past 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 lacking vitality, with less human interaction.

NBD: Any suggestions for the coordinated development of online and offline channels?

Dong Mingzhu: The key is to integrate online and offline channels. That’s why Gree has launched “Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home,” where consumers can visit “Healthy Home” stores to browse, interact, experience, and purchase, and also place orders online for in-store pickup.

Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home Image Source: Company Provided

NBD: Over the years, you have become Gree’s most distinctive IP. Your frankness and resilience are well known. In this 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 consumers’ perception of Gree appliances, then I think “Dong Mingzhu” 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 to the market and consumers, and the most responsible choice for consumers.

Malicious IP creation by entrepreneurs to promote themselves is something I do not agree with. People say I have an 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 fuels their interest in me personally. I don’t deliberately create IP online, but many companies talk about avoiding 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 always say, third-tier companies make products, second-tier companies build brands, first-tier companies set standards. For a long time, Chinese manufacturing has been labeled as low quality and low price, with low international recognition. Most exports are 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 internationally, recognized for quality, exemplifying “Let the world love Made in China.”

Earlier, I mentioned that first-tier 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 aims to ensure that Gree not only makes good products but also provides new standards for all compressor manufacturers worldwide. Through joint efforts, we can create a greener energy environment and provide technological support—this is the true significance of these international standards.