China has over 3,000 manufacturers of spectacles and associated products. Of these, 400 have annual sales exceeding RMB20 million (approximately US$2.8 mn), and at least 600 manufacturers export their products. China is the largest exporter of eyewear to LMICs; for instance, 78 per cent of India’s eyewear imports come from China. Nigeria also relies significantly on imports, with over 90 per cent sourced from China [1]. Chinese manufacturers also produce products for several global brands such as EssilorLuxottica and Safilo and social enterprises such as Vision Spring.
The China Optometric and Optical Association publishes China’s export volume and value every year [42]. The data show a general growing trend of spectacles and its accessories from 2016 to 2023, reaching over US$7.4 bn in 2023 [43]. The export value to “BRI” 9 countries is US$2.7 bn in 2022 (37 per cent of the total), a 20 per cent increase from 2021. And the export value to ASEAN countries is US$639 mn in 2022 (9 per cent of the total), a 52 per cent increase from 2021 [44] [45].
Figure 3: China spectacles export value (Unit: US$100,000)
Spectacles are not classified as medical devices in China [46]. Therefore, no compulsory clinical trials are required. In addition, spectacles for myopia and presbyopia are also not classified as assistive products in China and not included in the national rehabilitation and assistive products list.
Spectacles are only classified as an industrial product in China. The quality control is regulated by SAMR. There is a National Inspection and Testing Centre for Ophthalmic Optics Products located in Danyang, established in 2006 as the leading quality inspection centres in China. China has published a series of national compulsory quality standards for spectacles products, which are widely used in the Chinese domestic market,
9.China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a strategy initiated by the People's Republic of China since 2013 that seeks to connect countries globally with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth.↩︎
specifically GB10,810 for lenses, GB13,511 for near-vision spectacles, and GB14,214 for frames [47].