Recognition at the UN Cool Coalition Assembly
Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances, was named an inaugural "Cool Leader" during an assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition in Singapore. The recognition coincided with an interview discussing her management philosophy, the transformation of manufacturing through automation, and the expansion of Chinese companies into global markets.
Gree is a home-appliance giant based in southern China’s Guangdong province. Dong, who worked her way up from a frontline sales job, serves as a deputy to the National People’s Congress. In this role, she has long advocated for manufacturing innovation, higher incomes, and greener consumption.
Strategies for Green Energy and International Expansion
Gree has established an internal framework for carbon neutrality that includes annual targets. The company also operates a national-level key laboratory focused on energy-efficient air-conditioning equipment.
In response to European Union regulations and local installation constraints, Gree developed portable air conditioning units and shipped models using R290, a propane refrigerant with low global warming potential. During a period of surging demand, retail sales of Gree’s air conditioners in France rose 50 percent year on year.
The company has also focused on solar energy integration. Gree proposed a design for powering air conditioners directly with solar electricity in 2012 and developed a working system in 2013. The company’s solar-plus-storage range now spans more than 10 product categories and has reached more than 35 countries and regions.
Gree was among the first Chinese companies to expand overseas, adopting the slogan "Let the World Fall in Love with Made in China" in 2015. The company now sells to more than 190 countries and regions, with its own brands accounting for over 70 percent of export sales.
Global Market Shifts and Political Neutrality
The global market share held by Chinese home-appliance brands rose from 2.9 percent in 2015 to 10.9 percent in 2025, according to reported data.
Dong stated that everyday consumer products should not be dragged into political conflicts. She emphasized that people pursue a better life regardless of skin tone or language.