Capital at risk

Investment strategy

China

We aim to navigate China’s complex markets by identifying the most exciting growth firms, regardless of where they’re listed, their size or weight in an index. 

The speed and scale of China’s development make it a rich hunting ground for opportunities. 

A differentiated approach in an inefficient, under-researched and short-term market can add significant value. 

Aerial Photo Shots of Spring Blossom Bridge in Shenzhen, China.

Short-term market meets long-term investor

A deliberately selective investment approach, helping our clients benefit from China’s engines of growth for the next decade.

China: our philosophy

Investment manager Sophie Earnshaw introduces the China Strategy, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.

Hunting for growth in a growing market

To deliver long-term capital gains, we look for businesses that enjoy sustainable competitive advantages and which we believe will grow their earnings significantly faster than the market average. This requires fundamental research, active engagement and an ability to ignore large parts of the index. 

Active management is critical for assessing the risks and opportunities. China is a poorly researched investment universe dominated by short-termism, which makes it an exciting one for patient, curious stock pickers. 

Diverse perspectives

An active and engaged approach allows us to navigate over 6,000 companies and deliver a portfolio of just 40-80 Chinese growth stocks.  

We benefit from global and local knowledge with a team based across Edinburgh and Shanghai.  

Our differentiated horizons, perspectives and relationships provide insights that help us spot opportunities early and exploit persistent inefficiencies.  

We have been investing in China since 1994 with a philosophy focused on long-term returns. Our dedicated China Strategy was launched in 2006. 

We have always been interested in disruption, no matter where it might occur. It’s this intellectual curiosity that continues to draw us to China’s innovative companies.
Sophie Earnshaw

Meet the managers

Portfolio construction group

Documents

Philosophy and process

Explore our investment philosophy and the processes around how the team constructs the portfolio.

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Quarterly update

Get the latest investment commentary, portfolio overview, transactions and performance information alongside governance engagement and voting. 

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You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

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Strategy portfolio holdings

A list of the top 10 holdings that the representative portfolio invests in.

All figures up to: 28 February 2025

#Holding% of portfolio
1Tencent9.8%
2Alibaba7.6%
3Meituan6.5%
4Kweichow Moutai4.0%
5China Merchants Bank3.7%
6PDD Holdings3.6%
7Ping An Insurance3.5%
8CATL3.5%
9BYD Company3.4%
10Midea2.5%

Strategy holdings by sector

All figures up to: 28 February 2025

Created with Highcharts 11.4.6Consumer DiscretionaryCommunication ServicesIndustrialsInformation TechnologyFinancialsConsumer StaplesHealth CareMaterialsReal EstateEnergyUtilitiesCash12345678910111237.1%13.9%13.7%10.2%7.2%6.5%3.5%3.3%1.7%1.3%0.9%0.5%

Total: 100%

Please note

The information contained on this page is intended as a guide only and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. All holdings information is unaudited. Source Baillie Gifford & Co. Please note that totals may not add due to rounding.

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

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Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Insights

Key articles, videos and podcasts relating to the strategy:

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Insights

Viewing 10 of 10
  1. Moutai: Stock Story

    Ben Buckler investigates the Chinese brand dominating the global luxury drinks market.
    March 2025
    Video3 minutes
  2. China Q4 update

    The China Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Video12 minutes
  3. China Strategy: manager update

    An update on the investment landscape in China, portfolio changes, and key risks and opportunities on our radar.
    November 2024
    Video36 minutes
  4. China Q3 update

    The China Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    October 2024
    Video12 minutes
  5. Illustrated flat lay, with a large Moutai bottle taking centre stage, larger than the other things around it. Other things include ice cream, old style jars and different types of Moutai bottles.

    Kweichow Moutai: spirit of China

    The fiery spirit that’s a profitable symbol of Chinese culture and luxury.
    September 2024
    Article7 minutes
  6. China Q2 update

    The China Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    July 2024
    Video11 minutes
  7. China: fear or FOMO?

    Ben Buckler on how investors should steer between the twin poles of risk in China.
    December 2023
    Article5 minutes
  8. Why growth, why now?

    Tough times play to the partnership’s strengths: analysing what enables us to adapt and thrive amid rapid change.
    December 2023
    Article17 minutes
  9. Finding China’s A-share jewels

    The country’s domestic markets are rich in companies with the know-how to become global leaders.
    September 2023
    Article
  10. China Strategy

    Investment manager, Sophie Earnshaw, discusses the Baillie Gifford China Strategy.
    September 2023
    Video3 minutes

China: our philosophy

Investment manager Sophie Earnshaw introduces the China Strategy, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

How to invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Important information

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited provides investment management and advisory services to non-UK clients and is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited is not licensed under the Regulation of Investment Advising, Investment Marketing and Portfolio Management Law, 5755-1995 (the “Advice Law”) and does not carry insurance pursuant to the Advice Law.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited markets and distributes Baillie Gifford’s range of collective investment schemes to Qualified Clients and Qualified Investors in Israel, as listed in the First Addendum to the Regulation of Investment Advising, Investment Marketing and Portfolio Management Law, 5755-1995 (the “Advice Law”) and in the First Addendum to the Israel Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the “Securities Law”). Detailed disclosure of the collective investment schemes can be found within this website and in the relevant scheme prospectus.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited does not provide investment advice. If you are in any doubt about whether an investment is suitable, you should seek independent advice.

No action has been or will be taken in Israel that would permit a public offering or distribution of the Funds mentioned in this website to the public in Israel. This website and the Funds mentioned herein have not been approved by the Israeli Securities Authority (the “ISA”). In addition, the Funds mentioned in this website are not regulated under the provisions of Israel’s Joint Investment Trusts law, 5754-1994 (the “Joint Investment Trusts Law”). This website and the Funds mentioned herein will only be distributed to Israeli residents in reliance on an exemption from any advice or marketing restrictions [in a manner that will not constitute “an offer to the public” under sections 15 and 15a of]/[in reliance on an exemption from the prospectus requirements under] the Israel Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the “Securities Law”) or the Joint Investment Trusts Law, and any guidelines, pronouncements or rulings issued from time to time by the ISA as applicable.