A recent endorsement of China's prefabricated housing by a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has brought the modular construction industry in Xinhui District, Jiangmen, into the global spotlight.
The district is home to two leading companies in the sector—CIMC Modular Building and China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited—which are bringing China's innovative approach of "building houses like cars" to global markets.
Leveraging its expertise in container manufacturing, CIMC Modular Building divides buildings into standardized modules, with more than 90% of construction completed in factories. Its products have been exported to more than 20 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, and have been used in over 200 completed projects. This year, the company shipped its first project to Indonesia and is set to deliver modules for a boutique hotel in Saudi Arabia. It will also complete an office building project in Cameroon. Compared with conventional construction methods, its technology reduces construction waste by 75% and cuts carbon emissions by approximately 50%.
China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited is forging a new path by bringing intelligent manufacturing to the construction industry. Its Industrial Park, which began operations in 2024, has an annual production capacity of more than 12,000 modules. In May 2026, the company received pre-approval in principle for modular buildings from Dubai Municipality. It became the first Chinese enterprise to obtain this qualification. The approval underscores the company's ability to meet the Middle East's rigorous construction standards, including extreme heat and sandstorms.
China's customs data shows that exports of prefabricated buildings have nearly tripled over the past decade, including a 45% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2026. As a major industrial hub for the sector, Xinhui District has attracted a growing network of supporting enterprises. In 2025, the value of modular building exports supervised by Jiangmen Customs reached 150 million yuan. The district is now shifting from exporting products to exporting standards, positioning "Made in Xinhui" as a hallmark of excellence in the global modular construction industry.
Author | He Fengyu
Photo | Jiangmen Fabu
