Core Insights - The Southeast Asian market is experiencing rapid growth, with a noticeable increase in acceptance of Chinese brands, as highlighted by the founder of Yifu Glasses, who secured a signing intention worth over $1.5 million with Vietnam's largest distributor [1][3] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Wenzhou, a key hub for the eyewear industry in China, has a complete industrial chain from design to production, and is now focusing on Southeast Asia as a new growth area due to the saturation of traditional markets [3][5] - The ASEAN Eyewear Expo, the largest of its kind in the region, attracted over 5,500 professional buyers from more than 50 countries, indicating strong international interest [3][11] - The event showcased 230 companies and over 100 well-known domestic and international brands, covering the entire eyewear supply chain [3][11] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The Wenzhou Municipal Council for the Promotion of International Trade organized the expo as part of a new outbound strategy to create a "golden platform" for local brands to enter the ASEAN market [3][9] - Prior to the expo, training sessions on ASEAN legal compliance and intellectual property protection were conducted to prepare local businesses for international expansion [9][11] - The success of the expo is seen as a starting point for Wenzhou's ongoing efforts to leverage exhibitions to enhance production and trade [11][12] Group 3: Brand Positioning - Chinese brands are increasingly favored in Southeast Asia due to their better alignment with local consumer preferences in terms of design and comfort [5][7] - Local companies are adapting their product offerings to meet the aesthetic preferences of Southeast Asian consumers, indicating a shift from merely selling products to building an ecosystem [8][11] - The second ASEAN Eyewear Expo is scheduled for October 2026, with plans to expand into new product categories and deepen industry collaboration [12]