US technology company HP Inc is stepping up its investment and innovation efforts in China, betting on the country's manufacturing strength, fast-evolving demand and growing role in global innovation to drive future growth, its senior executives said.

"It's an ever-dynamic market …which means it's also an opportunity for us to evolve," said Craig Bernero, senior vice-president & division president of HP Office Print Solutions.

HP's latest data showed that its global market share stood at 34.1 percent in 2025, while its share in China reached 38.6 percent, reflecting the importance of the market to its overall business.

China's increasingly dynamic market is playing a dual role — not only as a key growth engine, but also as a source of innovation shaping HP's global strategy, Bernero said.

"Not only in AI communication platforms and ecosystem enablement, but there are also many opportunities and insights … These learnings and capabilities can also be extended further as a global company," he said.

Rollin Jin, vice-president & general manager of HP Printing Systems Group of Greater China, said that local innovation — particularly in AI applications — is becoming an important input for HP's global product development.

"In the past, advanced technologies and experience were largely introduced into China from overseas. But with the country's rapid development in cutting-edge technologies and applications, global collaboration is becoming increasingly two-way — bringing in global strengths while enabling local innovation to reach international markets," Jin said.

At the center of HP's China strategy is its Weihai manufacturing base in Shandong province, which has become a critical pillar of the company's global supply chain, the executives said.

"One out of every three HP printers sold globally is manufactured right here," Bernero said, describing the facility as essential to HP's production, innovation and quality control capabilities.

The plant not only serves the Chinese market but also supplies global demand, supported by a mature local ecosystem that enhances delivery speed, product quality and technological iteration, he said.

"The capacity for continuous innovation and large-scale production established here in Weihai is undoubtedly core to our global strategy moving forward," Bernero said.

Jin noted that the company is adapting its products to meet specific local needs, such as compatibility with domestic operating systems and support for industry-specific applications.

The company's latest product lineup, he added, has been designed in response to a range of China-specific use scenarios, including high-speed, high-volume printing of A5 documents, shipping labels and hospital prescriptions.

At the same time, HP is leveraging its local manufacturing footprint to align with policy requirements and enhance supply chain flexibility, particularly in areas such as government and enterprise procurement, Jin added.

"Our strategy is to continue strengthening our core capabilities and delivering differentiated value," Jin said, adding that the company is also targeting small and medium-sized businesses and home users to broaden its market base.

The remarks came as the global printing market continues to face headwinds.

According to IDC data, global printer shipments totaled 77.16 million units in 2025, down 2 percent year-on-year. In China, printing peripherals shipments fell 12.5 percent year-on-year to 15.3 million units in 2024.

"We do see printing as a business under contraction … but that also means there is still opportunity to grow share," Bernero said, adding that HP is also repositioning its printing business from a traditional hardware model to a broader, AI-enabled solution ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the executives said China will remain central to HP's global strategy — not only as a major market, but also as a testing ground for new technologies and business models.

lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn