Supply chain (gōng yìng liàn) refers to the entire network of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in producing and delivering a product or service—from raw materials to the end consumer. The three characters break down as: 供 (gōng) meaning 'to supply' or 'to provide', 应 (yìng) meaning 'to respond' or 'to meet (a demand)', and 链 (liàn) meaning 'chain' or 'link'. Together, they convey the idea of an interconnected, responsive system that links suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers.

This term is widely used in business, logistics, economics, and management contexts in Chinese. It appears frequently in news reports, corporate strategy documents, and policy discussions—especially regarding global trade, manufacturing efficiency, or resilience during disruptions like pandemics or natural disasters. While it’s a technical term, it has entered everyday usage in China due to its relevance to economic stability and consumer goods availability.