By
Yao Yu and Pan Yixuan
Jul 16, 2026
How AI makes China's small-town factories global VIDEO
AI is no longer just for big tech. In Xingcheng, Liaoning province, local swimwear manufacturers are using AI to create model images and short videos, test new designs on overseas platforms, and quickly move into production when orders come in. Zhang Xiaobo, a professor at Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, said work that once took months and cost thousands can now be done faster and at much lower cost — giving small factories a better chance of coming up with the next bestseller.