The 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, featuring 117 global premieres and 278 new energy vehicle (NEV) models, concluded on Saturday after a dynamic 10-day run, underscoring the rapid ascent of China's NEVs, with annual sales now surpassing 9 million units.
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, known for its smartphones and intelligent home appliances, captured the spotlight this year by venturing into the competitive auto market with its sporty SU7 electric sedan.
Long queues formed at Xiaomi's booth early in the morning during the show, as excited spectators eagerly awaited a closer look at their sleek new cars, indicating strong consumer interest.
"We have attracted considerable attention from both domestic and international exhibitors and visitors, receiving about 20,000 to 30,000 visitors everyday," said Fan Bo, a representative from Xiaomi.
The auto show was a major draw for almost all Chinese independent new energy vehicle manufacturers, with their booths bustling with interest from both Chinese and international visitors.
This year, Chinese brands featured high-tech innovations and stylish designs, drawing significant attention from global automotive giants, something incredible just 10 years ago.
"In 2014, the exhibition booths were dominantly taken by international multinational companies, and the models on display were mostly powered by internal combustion engines. But in 2024, you see a significant presence of independent Chinese brands at the auto show.In just one decade, from the perspective of the auto show, China's new energy vehicles have made a leapfrog development by starting from scratch and evolving from a follower to a lead runner," explained Chai Zhanxiang, assistant president of automotive branch of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
Auto show evidences China's rapid shift to new energy vehicles
The Donald Trump administration has now induced over 200 lawsuits in the United States due to its divisive policies in the first 100 days since returning to the White House.
April 29 marks the 100th day of Trump's second term, a traditional milestone for evaluating a president's progress against campaign promises. In the chaotic first 100 days, Trump's administration has rolled out policies to impose sweeping tariffs, push for deportation of immigration, lay off massive federal employees, and shut down a great number of government agencies, among others.
According to Just Security, an editorially independent, non-partisan, digital law and policy journal, so far over 200 lawsuits relating to tariffs, immigration policy, education, and agency layoffs have been filed against Trump's administration in the United States since the beginning of its term.
In particular, legal challenges against the administration's tariff policies have been escalating.
On April 14, multiple U.S. small businesses jointly sued the U.S. government over its tariff policies.
In addition, twelve states, including California, have jointly sued the federal government, urging it to immediately halt its illegal reciprocal tariffs.
In terms of immigration policy, Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to end birthright citizenship, which was later blocked by multiple federal judges.
In the field of education, Harvard University has recently accused the U.S. government of trying to control the university's academic decisions by freezing federal funds.
In addition, the Trump administration's massive layoffs across many government agencies have also triggered a wave of lawsuits.
According to the New York Times, as of Saturday, at least 108 judicial rulings had blocked the government's effort to implement relevant policies.
Some analysts point out that the Trump administration's aggressive push for these policies reflects its intent to weaponize the executive power, which has triggered a flood of legal challenges.
This phenomenon of "the U.S. suing itself" not only highlights the escalating conflict between the executive and judicial branches, but also reveals how the legal arena is becoming a key battleground for partisan warfare.
The continuous and escalating clashes between U.S. executive and judicial branches, along with the intensifying partisan warfare, have fueled the growing public disillusionment and discontent.
In April alone, over 1,000 protests erupted across the United States, covering all of its 50 states.
Trump's administration faces over 200 lawsuits in chaotic first 100 days
