Beijing’s Auto Show has opened and nearly 300 electric vehicle models are on display. China dominates the global market for battery-powered cars, and the country's brands are expanding overseas.

Beijing

The Beijing Auto Show has officially opened, showcasing nearly 300 electric vehicle (EV) models, highlighting China's leading position in the battery-powered car market. This event signals China's intent to expand its dominance in the global EV industry, with local brands making strides in overseas markets. The Auto Show, themed "New Era, New Cars," reflects the ambition of Chinese automakers to capture a larger share of the global market by increasing investment in research and development. This strategy aims to produce vehicles that are both affordable and superior in quality, contributing to China's status as the largest car producer worldwide, especially in the electric vehicle sector.

China accounts for 60% of global EV sales, and its homegrown company, BYD, has surpassed Tesla to become the world's leading EV manufacturer. The Beijing Auto Show will feature the unveiling of dozens of new EV models, with a significant focus on advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and smart connectivity. Despite the sharp competition and the emergence of new market entrants, such as home appliance giant Xiaomi, China faces challenges domestically due to a slowing economy and reduced vehicle sales.

The necessity to explore international markets has become more apparent as domestic demand cannot keep up with the growing production rates. Brands like NIO are extending their presence into Europe and the Middle East, although efforts to enter the U.S. market have been hindered by 27% tariffs. This has sparked a debate in the U.S., with some politicians perceiving Chinese cars as a threat to both the American auto industry and national security. The complex trade relations between the U.S. and China were a point of discussion during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, where he expressed concerns about China's trade policies and alleged non-market practices. Despite these challenges, China dismisses the criticism, interpreting it as an attempt by the U.S. to limit China's growth and suppress its industries.



Beijing Auto Show: China looks to expand dominance of EV market

The theme of this year's Beijing Auto Show is New Era, New Cars, and many Chinese automakers believe that this era is one where Chinese vehicles will soon dominate the global market. Chinese automotive companies are increasing their investment, research and development so that we are able to produce cheaper and better vehicles that ordinary people could afford to drive. China is already the world's biggest producer of cars and leads the battery-powered industry. 60% of the world's electric vehicles, or EVs, are sold in China. Earlier this year, homegrown brand BYD overtook Tesla as the world's biggest selling EV maker. Dozens of new electric vehicle models are being unveiled here over the next few days and the emphasis is on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and smart connectivity. Competition in China is increasingly fierce, with new players entering the market in recent months, including home appliance brand Xiaomi. But while China is producing more vehicles, its slowing economy means there are fewer sales than hoped for. The domestic demand for new energy vehicles is insufficient to absorb the ever-increasing production, so these car manufacturers must pay attention to the overseas market. This has forced some brands, such as NIO, to expand in Europe and the Middle East. But 27% tariffs have prevented Chinese automakers from entering the U.S. market. Washington is under pressure to ban them completely, with some American politicians calling Chinese cars a threat to the U.S. auto industry and national security. During a visit to China this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about China's trade policies and what the Biden administration calls non-market practices. It's accused China of overcapacity in several green industries and flooding the global market with unfairly subsidized goods. China has dismissed the criticism, saying the U.S. is trying to curb its development and suppress its industries.

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State of Rio Grande do Sul

Climate Crisis

'It's going to get worse': Brazil braces for flood peaks

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Irvine

Israel-Gaza War

Police, protesters in stand-off at California university

The Federal Government will cut $3 billion in student debts, in measures to be announced in next week's budget. The reforms will see the student loans of three million graduates by an average of $1200 and changes to loan indexation.

Camperdown

Labor to wipe $3 billion of student debts

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Baja California

Mexican authorities lay charges over Australian brothers' disappearance

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Willetton

Police shoot dead ‘radicalised’ teenage boy in Perth

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Dozens missing amid record-breaking Brazil flooding

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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London

Pro-Palestine university protests spread to London

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Jerusalem

Five Palestinian fighters killed during West Bank raid

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Canberra

Pressure mounts on Immigration Minister after latest detainee incident

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Ensenada

Fourth body discovered in Mexico search for Australian brothers

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

U.K. allows its weapons to be used on Russian soil

Canadian police have charged three Indian men with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year and said they were probing whether the men had ties to the Indian government.

Surrey

Canada police charge three with murder of Sikh leader

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Wenchang

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U.K.'s Labour claims big early win over Conservatives

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Ankara

Turkey to stop trade with Israel until Gaza ceasefire

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Paris

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Arizona

Arizona governor signs bill repealing 1864 abortion ban

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Washington

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New York

More than 1,000 student protesters arrested across U.S.

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Zaporizhzhia

U.S. accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Bogotá

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Tbilisi

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