Henan’s Industrial Chains Flourish, Linking Central China to Global Markets

ZHENGZHOU, April 8, 2026 — From a cup of milk tea expanding into a global store network, a regional supermarket chain becoming a national "check-in" landmark, to lab-grown diamonds reshaping the international market’s price system, a robust development network, with industrial chains as its backbone and supply chains as its blood, is rapidly taking shape in Central China’s Henan Province, according to People’s Network.

Guided by collaboration and a global perspective, Henan’s characteristic industries are shifting from "producing products" to "building systems", and from "participating in division of labor" to "influencing the pattern", marking a profound industrial transformation.

The transformation can be best illustrated by a seemingly ordinary cup of milk tea. In Zhengzhou, the global headquarters of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea operates with a highly organized supply chain system: externally, it boasts a global network of stores; internally, it achieves full-process collaboration from raw material procurement and production to warehousing and logistics, as reported by CCTV.com.

Zhang Hong, Director of Mixue’s Supply Chain Department, noted that the enterprise has strengthened standardized production and unified management around core raw materials such as sugar, milk, tea and coffee. Through efficient collaboration across factories, warehouses and logistics, it ensures stable quality for every drink entering broader markets, with its five self-built production bases and 30-plus warehouses supporting 42,000 stores worldwide.

While Mixue relies on supply chains to support its brand, local supermarket chain Pangdonglai demonstrates how supply chain depth translates into consumer warmth. Confined to Henan, it has become a "6A scenic spot without off-seasons", attracting visitors nationwide to Xuchang and Xinxiang.

Behind its diverse and well-organized stores lies a refined supply chain capability. "We have built our own production bases, independently producing over 180 products to control quality from the source," said Li Min, Deputy General Manager of Pangdonglai. Strict supplier selection and optimized procurement systems have also formed a stable commodity supply network.

A more in-depth change is unfolding in Zhecheng County, Shangqiu, where an industrial chain centered on lab-grown diamonds and superhard materials is booming. As a key global hub for lab-grown diamonds, Zhecheng produces nearly half of China’s lab-grown diamonds, with its products exported globally, Xinhua News Agency reported. Enterprises like Huifeng Diamond have deepened their presence in diamond micropowder, with products exported to Europe, America, Japan and South Korea.

Shi Yupeng, Professor at the School of Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, told People’s Network that industrial chains are vital carriers for regional development, enhancing division of labor, product value and risk resistance. Yang Gangqiang, Associate Professor at Wuhan University’s School of Economics and Management, added that optimizing industrial layout strengthens supply chain resilience and global competitiveness.

Data shows Henan’s industrial chain system is expanding: in 2025, key industrial chains under the "7+28+N" framework saw a 9.5% year-on-year increase in added value, contributing over 70% to the province’s industrial growth. As these chains interweave across Central China, they connect Chinese manufacturing to the global economy, writing a new chapter for high-quality development with resilience and competitiveness.