At the "20 Years, A New Journey" themed H World Partners Conference on October 31, 2025, Shen Yijun, CEO of Brand Business Unit and Group COO of H World Group (01179), along with Chief Designer Zhou Guangming, unveiled the group's latest brand—Grand Ji.
The launch marks a strategic reboot under H World's "brand leadership" strategy. Twelve years after introducing the mid-scale Ji Hotel in 2013—which set product standards for China's mid-tier hospitality market—the group now positions Grand Ji as its next milestone to "redefine China's hotel industry in the coming two decades."
Shen expressed strong confidence in Grand Ji's global potential: "China will evolve from a manufacturing exporter to a cultural exporter. Building on Ji Hotel’s success, this new Eastern brand is destined for world-class status."
Ji Hotel, H World’s mid-scale flagship, has grown into one of the fastest-expanding brands globally, with nearly 3,500 locations. It ranked fourth in HOTELS magazine’s 2024 "Global Top 50 Hotel Brands." Founder and Chairman Ji Qi projected that Hanting (the world’s largest single hotel brand) and Ji Hotel would soon dominate global rankings.
"Chinese design is rising," noted Ji Qi. "As cultural confidence grows, we’re rediscovering our unique lifestyle. Leading enterprises like H World, backed by China’s supply chain and attuned to young consumers, will drive this wave."
The hotel industry is transitioning from scale-driven expansion to quality-focused development. Yet, mid-to-high-end segments remain shackled by Western paradigms—overly lavish lobbies, expensive laundry services, and labor-intensive operations misaligned with Chinese travelers’ efficiency needs. Standardized services also fall short; for instance, Western-style breakfast buffets ignore local preferences for congee and steamed buns.
Grand Ji addresses these gaps through H World’s "Rooted in China" strategy. "Best or Nothing," declared Shen. "This brand will showcase Eastern elegance to the world."
By 2025, H World operates 12,000+ hotels across 19 countries, powered by unmatched efficiency—from modular construction to its top-ranked loyalty program (Huazhu Rewards). This infrastructure forms a "moat" for Grand Ji’s success.
The launch crystallizes H World’s 20-year evolution and future ambitions. As global interest in Eastern aesthetics grows, Grand Ji embodies China’s trifecta of manufacturing prowess, scale, and cultural influence. "Its design, supply chain, and strategy are world-class," said Ji Qi. "Following Hanting and Ji Hotel, Grand Ji will redefine Chinese hospitality."