China’s Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Along with retreads of established Chinese positions on Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Israel/Palestine conflict, his comments also provided interesting clues about China’s messaging to the Global South.
First, he called on the international community to “follow the direction of a multipolar world” with the UN at its center. I wonder how opinion within Beijing’s inner circles breaks down around the bipolarity/multipolarity issue, considering ...
Category: Automotive
Vietnamese EV-Brand VinFast Hopes Possible EU Sanctions Against Chinese Electric Cars Will Give It an Opening
Vietnamese electric vehicle company Vinfast plans to ship its first batch of 3,000 VF8 crossovers to Europe later this year and the upstart EV brand may even get an assist from European Union trade authorities. Earlier this month, the European Commission ...
China’s Two-Pronged Auto Export Strategy: EVs to the North, Gas-Powered to the South
Analysts are forecasting Chinese automakers will ship 5 million vehicles this year, solidifying the country's position as the world's largest auto exporter. But there's a stark discrepancy in terms of what kind of cars go where, according to Michael Dunne, one ...
WEEK IN REVIEW: South Africa Reportedly in Negotiation With Chinese EV Giant BYD to Open Manufacturing Plant in the Country
South Africa is reportedly in negotiation with the Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to open a manufacturing plant in the country, according to the cabinet. BYD, China’s best-selling car brand, launched its first e-vehicle in SA last year. South Africa has a robust auto-building sector, which includes a ...
Chinese Presence at Climate Summit So Far Limited to e-Vehicle Photo-Op
The highlight of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) for Chinese e-vehicle manufacturers was President William Ruto’s self-drive from the State House to the Kenyatta International Convention Center in a small, bright yellow e-car. Manufactured in Liuzhou, China, the Air Yetu was ...
Chinese EV Makers Are Rushing to Set Up Operations in Thailand
Two of China's largest automakers, Changan and Geely, both announced new plans to set up manufacturing and sales operations in Thailand for their new line of electric vehicles. Geely's EV unit AION announced plans to build a $170 million factory in ...
Chinese Automakers Prominent at BRICS Summit
The BRICS summit is proving a PR bonanza for an unexpected group of stakeholders: Chinese automakers. South Africa, the host of this week’s summit, eschewed the usual fleet of Mercedes Benzes to ferry the delegates between venues. Instead, the Chinese automakers Chery and Haval are providing the official SUVs. ...
Chinese EV Brands’ Push In Indonesia Intensifies. Can They Help Boost Slow Adoption?
The roads in Jakarta are looking a little different lately. At times, in the sea of black SUVs stuck in traffic, one can spot one or two tiny electric cars developed by Chinese electric vehicle maker Wuling. When one hops into a Blue Bird — the country’s ...
Japan Moves to Build China-Free EV Battery Supply Chain
Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan's economy and industry minister, spent last week crisscrossing southern Africa on a five-nation tour at the behest of his country's auto industry that is looking for new supplies of the raw materials needed to power electric vehicles. Japan, like ...
Chinese Auto Major Geely Eyes Thailand to Build Regional Manufacturing and Sales Hub
Chinese auto major Geely, the country's fourth largest, is weighing a major expansion in Southeast Asia with the creation of a sales and manufacturing hub in Thailand. Thailand's Board of Investment met with five major Chinese EV makers, including Geely, during ...
Q&A: Hong Kong Expertise Playing Pivotal Role in Transitioning Popular Motorbike Taxis in Kenya
A small group of entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and China is pioneering a new e-mobility business model in Kenya that aims to revolutionize the country’s ubiquitous motorbike taxis known as bodabodas. Tucked away in a garage in Nairobi’s Upperhill business district, ...