From December 11 to 15, 2025, Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai successfully conducted a "100-Hour Live Broadcast Extreme Cold Survival Challenge" in Fuyuan City, Heilongjiang Province. As China's easternmost city, Fuyuan frequently experiences winter temperatures below -25°C, making it an ideal environment to test air conditioners' extreme cold heating performance.
This five-day, four-night technical demonstration not only showcased the robust quality of Chinese home appliances but also outlined the development blueprint of Chinese tech enterprises breaking free from internal competition and expanding globally. From technological validation in extreme cold to breakthroughs in global markets, Gree has proven that the confidence of "Made in China" stems from core technology, and sustainable growth lies in value creation.
Dong Mingzhu and Meng Yutong made a joint appearance to verify Gree's extreme cold heating capabilities. Fuyuan, with an average winter temperature of -25°C and extreme lows below -35°C, is dubbed "China's Extreme Cold City." Gree's choice to conduct a 100-hour non-stop live broadcast here was deliberate—its harsh conditions serve as a natural lab to test air conditioners' low-temperature heating efficiency and address the industry-wide issue of "low-temperature failure."
On December 14, Gree Chairperson Dong Mingzhu arrived at the challenge site, personally experiencing and explaining Gree's core technologies. In -25°C conditions, she entered a "warm cabin" built with Gree products, demonstrating the stark indoor-outdoor temperature difference to viewers. The cabin maintained a steady 20°C indoors despite -25°C outdoors, showcasing Gree's stable performance in extreme cold.
During the event, Dong addressed the controversial "aluminum replacing copper" debate in the appliance industry. She stated, "Can aluminum replace copper? Yes, because we've researched aluminum technology for years. But Gree insists on using copper because aluminum hasn't matched copper's technical reliability." She added that Gree continues researching aluminum alternatives, vowing to adopt it only when fully proven. "Respect comes from delivering genuine warmth, not deceiving consumers. Even unseen components must meet high standards," she emphasized.
Dong explained that while copper accounts for ~20% of air conditioner costs (aluminum costs just 1/10th), aluminum lags in melting point, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and long-term reliability. Gree's "10-year free repair" policy demands uncompromising quality, preventing premature adoption of unproven alternatives.
From "Made in China" to "Brand in China" Amid intensifying domestic competition, Gree has charted a non-"involution" path through innovation and branding. Its overseas performance stands out, with products sold in 190+ countries/regions and self-branded products exceeding 70% share, topping markets in multiple regions.
Gree's globalization shifted from "product export" to "brand export." CMO Zhu Lei acknowledged that in the 1990s, Gree OEM-produced for others, leaving its brand invisible overseas. After Dong became chairperson in 2012, she insisted on promoting Gree internationally—a difficult but rewarding decision. Today, Gree's self-branding rate exceeds 85% in Belt & Road countries and 70% globally.
"Building a global Chinese brand is hard but right. The key is quality. With truly reliable quality, brand globalization is a must," Zhu noted. Gree's international success stems from quality commitment. In the UAE's harsh environment (heat, humidity, sandstorms), only Gree offers 5-year warranties with 10-year core part coverage, backed by a <0.02% failure rate. In Greenland's Uummannaq, a local resident chose Gree after seeing its popularity in Greece's salty winds—becoming the town's sole air conditioner user. Such word-of-mouth fuels global expansion.
"Gree makes durable products ensuring health, safety, and comfort. Performance reliability matters universally, regardless of user demographics," Zhu summarized.
Challenging "Involution": Pioneering Spirit for Chinese Tech Amid domestic price wars, Gree avoids "involution," pursuing growth via innovation and quality. "Gree doesn't compete with others—we compete with ourselves," Zhu said. This ethos has earned global respect.
This self-challenging spirit sustains profit margins for R&D. The Fuyuan location symbolizes tribute to pioneers who transformed "Great Northern Wilderness" into fertile land. "We honor those who开拓ed this harsh land with our core tech," Zhu remarked.
Regarding the 100-hour challenge, Zhu clarified: "This isn't an极限 or challenge—it's a test, or more accurately, a demonstration." Behind the broadcast, as Dong stated, "Even unseen details must excel." Gree's raw footage reflects its relentless pursuit of quality, innovation, and proof that "Made in China" delivers warmth even at the nation's coldest extremes.
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