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Fred Teng
Fred Teng

Opinion | ExxonMobil’s Huizhou project shows global firms’ confidence in China’s future

At a time when narratives of confrontation dominate, business engagement provides a reminder that cooperation is more fruitful than conflict

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An aerial view of ExxonMobil’s chemical complex in Huizhou in southern China’s Guangdong province. The complex marked its official launch on July 15 after beginning construction in 2020. Photo: Xinhua
Fred Teng
While headlines in Washington and Brussels might reflect unease about China’s rise, the global business community continues to cast its vote of confidence through real investments rather than rhetoric. The latest example is ExxonMobil’s US$10 billion petrochemical complex now taking shape in Huizhou, Guangdong province. More than a major infrastructure project, this investment is a statement that forward-looking multinational firms are bullish on China’s future.

Located in the Huizhou Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park, the ExxonMobil complex is being built in two phases and will include a world-class steam cracker as well as production facilities for high-performance polyethylene and polypropylene. These materials form the backbone of countless industries, from consumer packaging to automobiles and medical supplies. With naphtha shipments already secured, the company is laying down not just concrete and steel but the groundwork for decades of robust operations.

What makes this initiative even more notable is its ownership structure as it is one of the few wholly foreign-owned mega petrochemical projects in China. In an era where some countries advocate economic decoupling and a retreat from globalisation, ExxonMobil is doing precisely the opposite. It is deepening its integration into China’s economy with a long-term mindset and strategic clarity.
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The reasons are compelling. China is not only the world’s second-largest economy, it is also a rapidly evolving one. The nation’s ongoing urbanisation, growing middle class and demand for cleaner, higher-quality materials have created sustained and dynamic demand for performance chemicals.

ExxonMobil, which has more than 130 years of history in China dating back to its predecessor Standard Oil, understands these macro trends well, and the company envisions continuing this relationship for another 130 years. That kind of commitment speaks louder than any short-term political narrative.

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The Huizhou project fits into China’s broader push towards high-quality development. As the country shifts from low-cost manufacturing to innovation-led, environmentally sustainable growth, demand for advanced materials and efficient energy inputs will only increase. ExxonMobil’s decision to locate its newest investment in Guangdong, a province at the heart of China’s “reform and opening up” legacy, further aligns the project with China’s developmental priorities. The move also signals a convergence of interests. China needs global expertise and technology to support its modernisation, while multinational companies need access to a vast and growing market.

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