All of this has been hailed by Chinese media as a victory for Made in China products, a label commonly associated with low-quality and often cheaper-made products.

“The fact that Chinese air conditioners have become a necessity for Europeans is not simply a commercial phenomenon, but a microcosm of ‘Chinese-style empowerment,'” reads a commentary in state media People’s Daily.

In fact, European owners of the PortaSplit told the BBC that they were surprised to discover that it comes from a Chinese brand.

“The marketing and design were not typical of the older Chinese products I was used to. They were more modern,” says Scholtysek in Germany. “Also, when I bought it, the quality was comparable to what I was used to in Europe or elsewhere.”

Launched in Germany in 2024, PortaSplit is advertised on its website as a combination of “German engineering” from Midea’s Stuttgart research center with “Italian design.”

This is part of a “general shift” in the image of Chinese tech products, Scholtysek says, from drone maker DJI to electric vehicle brands.

And after purchasing PortaSplit, Scholtysek even decided to buy Midea shares, a sign of his confidence in the company’s prospects.

This trust is also shared by those who work at Midea. Ralph Kobsik, CEO of Midea’s European operations, told the BBC in a statement that they “see considerable long-term growth potential in Europe.”

He added that the company “will continually invest in technologies that meet the specific needs of European consumers.”

One such satisfied consumer is Adrien Olar in France, who recently purchased his first air conditioner: a Midea PortaSplit.

“This is perhaps my first Chinese product,” says the 26-year-old, describing it as a “revolution.” In the days before his PortaSplit arrived, he had resorted to splashing water on his face to stay cool at home.

But those days are long gone, Olar: “It’s like walking into the refrigerator when I walk into my room. It’s a very, very good difference.”