EU's additional tariffs on Chinese EVs harmful to local carmakers: Spanish entrepreneur

European carmakers do not want additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as the move is harmful to them, especially for those having plants in China, said a Spanish entrepreneur on Tuesday.

Spurred by the policy support and market demand in Spain, EV industry has developed rapidly in recent years in the country, which currently boasts an EV fleet of about 500,000 units.

The Spanish government has set a target of having 5 million EVs and installing 500,000 charging piles by 2030.

The EU's additional tariffs on Chinese EVs are a wrong course, which will not solve any problems but will only hinder the further development of its own EV industry, said Arturo Perez de Lucia, general manager of the Business Association for the Development and Promotion of Electric Mobility (AEDIVE), when talking to China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday.

"I don't think the EU is on the right track. Although the policy is aimed at protecting European industry, European industry itself does not want to increase tariffs. I think one thing the EU should do is to listen to the opinions of European carmakers. Carmakers do not want the additional tariffs because the move is harmful to them. The increase in tariffs is also a very serious problem for European companies with manufacturing plants in China, who will suffer as a result. I think the car market is global and the door should be open for exchange," said Perez.

Perez further noted that key areas for the future of the EV industry include battery technology and digitalization, where China plays a leading role in competition.

At present, many Spanish companies have joined hands with their Chinese peers to tap into the sector, which is the right way forward, according to Perez.

Only through cooperation can efficient solutions be worked out, he stressed.

"Now Europe has to learn from China. We need to learn how to improve our manufacturing processes and logistics systems, making them more competitive in the market. China has technologies in digitization, energy efficiency, and energy storage that we don't have in Europe, so we must seek cooperation," said Perez.

EU's additional tariffs on Chinese EVs harmful to local carmakers: Spanish entrepreneur

EU's additional tariffs on Chinese EVs harmful to local carmakers: Spanish entrepreneur

The popular Giant Panda Fu Bao was recently seen feasting away on a fresh bamboo meal while basking in the sunshine at a breeding base in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Video footage showed a series of heartwarming scenes as the beloved four-year-old delightedly munched down her delicious bamboo shoots under the sun, with discarded bamboo peels scattered adorably across her body. The video was captured recently at the Shenshuping base of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) in the Wolong National Nature Reserve.

Fu Bao, meaning "lucky treasure", was born in July 2020 in South Korea and was the first panda cub ever born in the country. She is the daughter of giant pandas Ai Bao and Le Bao, who were sent to South Korea from China in 2016 on a 15-year lease.

The young panda captured the hearts of netizens and visitors during her time in South Korea with her adorable appearance and unique charm.

She returned to China in April this year and made her official public debut in Sichuan in June after a period of quarantine.

The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution dedicated to breeding and conserving one of China's national treasures, the giant panda. The center has also established a global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.

Beloved giant panda Fu Bao seen feasting away on fresh bamboo