A commerce ministry spokesman on Thursday urged Canada not to resort to protectionism in the disguise of "fair competition," after Canada unveiled its plan to launch a consultation process concerning Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
Addressing a press conference, the spokesman He Yadong made the statement in response to a media query on the 30-day consultation period launched by Canada on potential policy to Chinese EVs.
"We have taken note of Canada's announcement that it would launch a 30-day consultation process to the public on potential policy responses to EVs imported from China, starting from July 2. China is highly concerned over the move. The development of China's EV industry is a result of open competition, continuous efforts made in promoting technological innovation, improving industrial and supply chain system, and optimizing the market ecological environment. Chinese EVs are well-received by global users, including consumers from Canada, and have contributed greatly to tackling climate change and promoting a green transition worldwide," said the spokesman.
"Canada has long declared its support for free trade and is a beneficiary of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules-based multilateral trading system. The Canadian side should respect the facts, abide by WTO rules, and create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the common development of the EV industry in both countries. We urge Canada not to resort to protectionism in the disguise of 'fair competition'. China will pay close attention to the follow-up moves of the Canadian side and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," he continued.
China urges Canada not to resort to protectionism: commerce ministry spokesman
The first China Chongqing Science and Technology Film Week is taking place in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, with forums and lectures focusing on the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence in the film industry.
The six-day event kicked off on Wednesday in Chongqing's Yongchuan District, gathering experts, academics and leaders in the film and TV industry from home and abroad.
On Thursday, four themed salons were held on hot topics such as sci-tech innovations empowering the film and TV industry, virtual production and the upgrading of the film industry, and the integrated development of generative artificial intelligence, film and TV industry and metaverse.
"Director Guo Fan has said that when making The Wandering Earth 3 and later sequels, he would apply AI into the production of more scenes, including using it to present some movements and spatial relations. So, we all said during the Shanghai International Film Festival that AI is not the future. It is already present," said Yin Hong, vice president of the China Film Association.
In the following panel discussions, the guests shared their views on today and tomorrow's film industry and the development of science and technologies from different perspectives.
"We creators, especially visual creators, will embrace this technology in the years to come. It could be a very good thing," said Huo Tingxiao, president of the China Film Art Direction Academy.
On Thursday evening, a virtual girl group staged a concert on a huge screen at the venue, displaying the charm of cutting-edge technologies to the audience.
The film week also held several lectures on Friday, where film directors Li Lichi, Liu Xiaoshi and many other experts shared their insights on film production and science and technology.
"High-tech tools are surely useful in today's film production, very useful. They will bring disruptive changes to the work of our technical teams. But we have to bear in mind that they are just tools, of which we should be the masters, not slaves," Liu said.
In addition, more than 10 film and sci-tech companies presented their latest filmmaking technologies during the event.
Chongqing hosts first sci-tech film week
