China's Auto, new energy entrepreneurs discuss, share global strategies at CMG event

Industry leaders from the automotive and new energy sectors discussed and shared their innovative practices and international expansion strategies at a China Media Group (CMG) event.

The CMG's CCTV business channel recorded its New Year's Eve Speech program at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on Dec 26, and business leaders from prominent Chinese manufacturing enterprises were invited to the event.

Zhu Huarong, chairman of Changan Automobile, a leading Chinese carmaker, reviewed the company’s growth trajectory.

He mentioned that Changan has integrated top global talent and technology resources, and has established research and development networks in 10 locations across six countries.

According to the chairman, the company’s goal is to transform from a traditional automotive manufacturer to an intelligent, low-carbon mobility technology firm, and build itself into a world-class automotive brand.

"We have proactively explored future industries such as flying cars and humanoid robots to forge new quality productive forces, with an aim to offer global users integrated transportation solutions across land, sea, and air. Changan follows the principle of 'Changan will never be absent from any overseas market.' With our '1+5+2' global strategy, we are expanding into five key regions: Southeast Asia, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), along with the Middle East, Africa, as well as Central and South America, offering high-quality products and services to users worldwide," Zhu said.

Regarding the company's "1+5+2"strategy, "1" refers to China, the company's home market and foundation; "5" represents the five key markets: Southeast Asia, Europe and the CIS, the Middle East, Africa, as well as Central and South America; "2" includes two mature yet challenging markets, Japan and South Korea, as well as North America.

The CIS was founded in 1991 as a regional organization of former Soviet republics.

Zhu believes that China's automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from simple global expansion to becoming a global leader.

He is confident that over the next decade, more world-class Chinese brands will emerge to bring exceptional products and services to global consumers.

Zhang Lei, chairman of Envision Group, a world-leading green technology company, shared the company's successes in the new energy sector, highlighting China's leading role in clean energy technologies.

"We are committed to replacing coal with wind, solar, and energy storage for power generation, and using green hydrogen, methanol, and biofuels produced with renewable energy to replace oil and natural gas. Additionally, we also aim to create renewable energy-powered systems driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to form a new type of power grid," Zhang said.

Zhang is proud that Chinese renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles, are now expanding globally, lowering energy costs and promoting worldwide prosperity.

He said that Envision Group will continue to lead the global green energy revolution, contributing to shared prosperity and sustainable ecological development.

China's Auto, new energy entrepreneurs discuss, share global strategies at CMG event

The gold price fluctuated above 3,140 U.S. dollars per ounce on Thursday, after President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs against most U.S. trading partners.

The price of gold has jumped nearly 18 percent this year, as traders piled into the safe haven asset amid a steep decline in stock market futures.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.

All imports would be subject to 10 percent additional tariffs, except as otherwise provided, the executive order said. This will take effect on April 5.

Trump will impose an "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" on the countries and regions with which the United States "has the largest trade deficits," according to a White House document. This will take effect on April 9.

Some goods will not be subject to the reciprocal tariff, including steel and aluminum, autos and auto parts already subject to Section 232 tariffs, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, the White House noted.

For Canada and Mexico, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods will continue to see a 0 percent tariff, non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 25 percent tariff, and non-USMCA compliant energy and potash will see a 10 percent tariff, according to the White House.

In his speech at the White House Rose Garden, Trump presented a chart on "reciprocal tariffs." The chart shows that different countries and regions face different tariff rates.

For example, China will face a 34-percent tariff, the European Union 20 percent, Vietnam 46 percent, Japan 24 percent, India 26 percent, South Korea 25 percent, Thailand 36 percent, Switzerland 31 percent, Indonesia 32 percent, Malaysia 24 percent, and Cambodia 49 percent.

Gold price fluctuates after Trump tariffs announcement