How We Ended Up on CCTV (Behind the Scenes of a Factory Inspection in China)


We want to share an event that does not happen often – neither to us, nor to anyone who works seriously with China.

It all started with a message from the factory. Josip received notification that he had become part of the promotional material of a large Chinese forklift and other construction machinery manufacturer.

Along with the message came a link to the video. Classic corporate content – production, testing, logistics, advertising.

And indeed, in their advertisement – a face familiar to us.

Not in our video. Not in our post. But in their promotional material, which was later used in public distribution, including on CCTV – the main state television in China and practically the most important media in the country.

In one frame, Josip is clearly seen driving their forklift. Because of this, they contacted us to inform us that they had used part of our video for their advertisement.

Photo from CCTV video

Josip driving a forklift in the promotional CCTV video of a Chinese factory
Frame from the promotional CCTV video – Josip during forklift testing in the factory

At first glance, this may seem like a small thing. One frame, one person, one machine.

But in the Chinese business world – this is not accidental.

Chinese factories, especially serious manufacturers, carefully choose what and whom they show in their promotional materials. If that material later goes to major media, filtering is even stricter.

In other words – you do not appear there just like that, and especially you do not end up in promotional material that also goes to public media.

How that recording was made

What is not visible in that short frame is the entire background.

That recording was not made accidentally, as part of a tourist visit or for taking photos, but during our factory visit when we were doing forklift inspection before shipment.

At that time we were doing:

  • quality check
  • machine testing
  • direct communication with engineers
  • resolving concrete problems before shipping

In that process, the machine is examined and tested before shipping, and we attach inspection videos to the goods for clients.

On that occasion, this recording was also made, in which Josip, driving the forklift, invites those interested in purchasing forklifts to contact us. Precisely the part of the frame from that video ended up in their advertisement.

Video from the field

Forklift in Chinese factory – test during pre-shipment inspection

Recording made during forklift inspection that later ended up in the promotional video on CCTV

What this actually says

We will not use big words like "official partner" or "exclusive agent".

In China, trust is not built with titles, but with presence and work.

  • direct access to the factory
  • inspection on site
  • participation in real processes
  • presence where decisions are made

And obviously – enough trust to end up in their materials too.

Why this is important for you

This is not a text to boast.

This is the difference between ordinary communication with China and real work in China.

Because when problems arise, the only thing that makes a difference is:

  • whether someone can go to the factory
  • whether they can test the product
  • whether they can stop the shipment if something is not right

Everything else is emails.

Conclusion

Maybe this is just an interesting detail for you.

Or maybe a clear indicator of what real work in China looks like.

We will continue the same – to be where we need to be, to check what needs to be checked, and to document what others do not see.

And sometimes it happens that someone else films us along the way.

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