Images of Chinese products, firms 'need to improve'

Citizens of Japan and South Korea have a less favorable view of Chinese companies and products than people in other economies, including the United States and Europe, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The report, which described a survey jointly conducted by the world's third-largest market research company, Ipsos, and the Chinese domestic magazine Global Entrepreneur, said that to improve their image abroad, Chinese companies must prove themselves with improved technology and better products.

The survey, conducted annually since 2007, analyzes Chinese companies' image in the minds of ordinary foreign consumers.

It also seeks to identify the companies best prepared for globalization and the models that can help Chinese companies succeed in the world market.

The latest survey, conducted from Dec 3 to 12, interviewed 39 Chinese companies, including Lenovo Group, Haier Group, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp. It covered seven countries - the US, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Brazil - with 200 respondents in each.

The report said that with the increased internationalization of Chinese companies, their global images continued to improve, except among citizens of Japan and South Korea.

It also said that the cost of Chinese products was an important attraction for foreign consumers, regardless of the product, brand or job opportunities with the company.