Chinese electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to grow in Spain in Europe despite provisional tariffs being imposed.
Among them, Chinese flagship carmaker BYD made and sold more EVs than any other companies in 2023.
On August 14, 1,000 brand-new BYD Seal U cars were delivered to Spain, and every single one was sold within weeks.
BYD Spain says business is booming.
"We started only 17 months ago with two dealers, today we have 30 dealers and before the end of 2024 we will have more than 40," said Inigo Trasmonte Garcia, marketing and press manager of BYD Spain.
The EU imposed additional tariffs on Chinese EVs in July citing subsidies.
Some European experts say that the tariffs won't halt the rise of Chinese EVs.
"The German government is not in favor of these tariffs. It's more the French and Italian producers who are afraid that their smart cars cannot compete with Chinese smart cars, and that's why they're pushing to have these tariffs, and they have enough votes in the European Council to have these tariffs confirmed. I think the impact will be limited," said Daniel Gros, director of Center for European Policy Studies.
At one of BYD's busy Madrid dealerships, customers care much more about value for money than global trade disputes.
"In the end I'm only interested in the final price the dealer can offer me," said a client.
"Yes, I'm convinced, it's time to talk numbers now!" said another one.
Chinese EVs sales continue to grow in Spain
A festive atmosphere is building up as people across China have been making preparations to ring in the Spring Festival next week, with lights and decorations set everywhere, and with New Year goods markets all seeing booming sales.
The Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important annual holiday in China, when people across the country return to their hometowns for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and family reunion.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand lantern show is in its final stage of preparation before opening to the public ahead of the eve of the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year. To be lit up on Wednesday, the large light sets presented at the event will draw numerous visitors, with lanterns that replicate 38 cultural relics as the highlight.
Buying New Year flowers has been a custom for Chinese people. In Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various flowers which have auspicious meanings are already in high demand.
This year, tulips bred locally have been put on sale, and quickly become a favorable choice for many customers.
"I have never seen this kind of flower before. I think it is really bright-colored. Therefore, I decided to buy some to enhance the festive atmosphere at home," said Zhang Jinjian, a local resident.
The Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province has a time-honored custom of making aired sausages and spiced duck.
As the Spring Festival draws near, plenty of visitors and tourists choose to purchase these local delicacies as ingredients for their Chinese New Year feast.
"The number of tourists has been increasing, so the sales of our spiced meat have been quite good. Compared with the same period of last year, our sales is expected to increase by about 50,000 yuan (about 6,835 U.S. dollars). We will earn an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (27,335 to 41,000 U.S. dollars) in sales during this whole winter," said Yang Jing, owner of a local spiced meat shop.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the "Tiaocai dance" is a time-honored tradition of the Yi ethnic minority group. The dance is presented in the form of serving dishes while dancing to the rhythm. It usually happens on a joyous or grand occasion.
Since the most significant annual festival is around the corner, Yi people have dressed up in traditional costumes, and got ready to welcome the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year with the special dance.
People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival