A | (ECNS) -- More than a year after the United States imposed reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods, many multinational companies that shifted production to Southeast Asia are moving parts of their supply chains back to China, underscoring the country's enduring manufacturing advantages. A report by The New York Times cited Alliance Consumer Group (ACG), a Texas‑based flashlight maker, which invested heavily in factories in Thailand and Vietnam after the 2025 tariff hikes. The company found China's manufacturing ecosystem difficult to replace, with flashlights from Chinese producers sometimes priced lower than ACG's shipping costs from Southeast Asia. ACG COO Phil Laster said the experience highlights a broader challenge: while production can be relocated, China's integrated industrial ecosystem remains difficult to replicate. China's strengths include its comprehensive supply chain, world‑class infrastructure and efficient logistics. In Xidian Town, Zhejiang Province, about 60% of the world's flashlights are produced, supported by nearby Ningbo‑Zhoushan Port. China is also the only country with all industrial categories listed in the UN system, leading production in more than 220 of over 500 major industrial products. Infrastructure plays a critical role. According to data from the Ministry of Transport of China, the country hosts eight of the world's top 10 busiest ports by cargo throughput, supported by China‑Europe freight trains and multimodal transport. ACG found costs 12% to 15% higher leaving Southeast Asian ports compared with China, due to weaker supply chains and logistics. China's efficient business environment has also drawn praise. In June, the Sino-Saudi Gulei Ethylene Complex Project in Fujian Province, a large single ethylene production facility by capacity, completed a major construction milestone. Faisal Al-Faqeer, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), lauded streamlined approvals and project management during construction of the Sino‑Saudi Gulei Ethylene Complex. Stable electricity supply further strengthens competitiveness, especially as fuel shortages in Southeast Asia have pressured factories. Investment data reflects the trend. In 2025, newly established foreign‑invested enterprises in China rose 19.1% year‑on‑year. In the first half of 2026, nearly 4,800 foreign‑invested companies expanded investment. For multinationals, while production can shift, China's integrated ecosystem — combining complete industrial chains, infrastructure and logistics — remains unmatched. (By Gong Weiwei) 。 SK가스 본사 전경. SK가스 제공SK가스가 지분 100%를 보유한 자회사 SK어드밴스드를 흡수합병한다.SK가스는 26일 이사회를 열고 SK어드밴스드와의 합병계약 체결 안건을 의결했다. 이번 합병은 신주를 발행하지 않는 방식으로 진행돼 기존 SK가스 주주의 지분율에는 변동이 없다.합병의 핵심은 프로판 조달·공급과 프로필렌 생산으로 이어지는 사업을 하나의 경영체계로 통합하는 것이다.SK가스는 40여년간 축적한 글로벌 네트워크와 트레이딩 역량을 바탕으로 해외에서 경쟁력 있는 가격과 안정적인 운송 인프라를 확보해 프로판을 조달·공급한다.SK어드밴스드는 조달된 프로판을 PDH(프로판탈수소화) 공정을 통해 석유화학 기초원료인 프로필렌으로 생산한다. 합병 이후에는 원료 조달과 제품 생산·판매 등 사업 전반의 의사결정을 일원화한다.이를 통해 원료 조달 경쟁력을 강화하고 운영 효율성과 판매 경쟁력을 높이는 한편, 자금조달과 재무관리도 일원화해 금융비용 절감과 자금운용 효율화 등 재무적 시너지를 확보할 계획이다.SK가스는 “SK어드밴스드의 개별 사업뿐만 아니라 프로판 조달·공급부터 프로필렌 생산·판매까지 이어지는 통합 밸류체인의 경제성과 성장 가능성을 종합적으로 검토했다”며 “양사를 하나의 경영체계로 통합하는 것이 사업 경쟁력과 효율성을 높이는 데 효과적이라고 판단했다”고 설명했다.。