(C) GMK Center

BEIJING/SEOUL — China is kicking off 2026 with a massive "subsidy blitz" aimed at reviving domestic consumption, a move that is sending shockwaves through South Korean industries. As Beijing expands its financial support to include high-tech AI devices and electric vehicles (EVs), South Korean electronics and automotive giants are bracing for an intensified price war both in China and across global markets.

The "Trade-In" Offensive
On December 30, China’s Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced the 2026 Large-scale Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Trade-in Policy. The government has allocated an initial 62.5 billion yuan (approx. $9.6 billion USD) to jumpstart the program ahead of the Lunar New Year.

Industry analysts expect the total annual budget to eventually rival or exceed 2025’s 300 billion yuan ($46 billion USD) stimulus. This policy, known as Yiguhuanxin, offers consumers significant rebates:

IT & Wearables: For the first time, smartwatches and fitness bands join smartphones and tablets as eligible items. Consumers receive a 15% subsidy (up to 500 yuan) per unit.
Smart Home Appliances: Subsidies of up to 1,500 yuan are available for refrigerators, washing machines, and integrated smart home systems.
Electric Vehicles: To accelerate its "EV Rise" strategy, Beijing is offering a 12% rebate (up to 20,000 yuan) on EVs, a support rate significantly higher than the 8% offered for internal combustion engine vehicles.

K-Industry Under Pressure
The aggressive subsidy expansion poses a direct threat to South Korean leaders like Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor. By artificially lowering the price of domestic brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and BYD, China is effectively locking foreign competitors out of the world’s largest consumer market.

The concern, however, extends far beyond China’s borders. Empowered by a subsidized domestic stronghold, Chinese "Red Tech" firms are expected to aggressively export their surplus inventory to Southeast Asia, Europe, and South Korea at predatory price points.

"It is becoming nearly impossible for Korean products to compete on price alone when Chinese rivals are backed by such massive state funding," an industry official noted. "The quality gap is narrowing, and the price gap is widening."

The "Super-Gap" Strategy
To survive this onslaught, experts suggest that South Korean firms must pivot toward a "Super-Gap" (Chogyeokcha) strategy. This involves doubling down on high-entry-barrier technologies that China cannot easily replicate in the short term, such as:

Advanced AI-integrated appliances.
Next-generation memory chips (HBM3E and beyond).
Premium automotive components and solid-state battery technology.

As Beijing uses its fiscal might to shield its own industries, the year 2026 is shaping up to be a definitive battleground for technological sovereignty between Seoul and Beijing.