China's auto industry got off to a good start in 2025 as both production and sales posted double-digit growth in the first quarter, driven by measures aimed at boosting auto consumption, industry data showed on Friday.
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China's total vehicle output surpassed 7.56 million units in the first three months of the year, marking a 14.5 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Sales rose by 11.2 percent, surpassing 7.47 million units.
New energy vehicles (NEVs) output surged 50.4 percent year on year, totaling over 3.18 million units, while sales soared 47.1 percent year on year to nearly 3.08 million units, which accounted for 41.2 percent of total vehicle sales in the period, according to CAAM data.
The association attributed the market growth to the expanding incentive programs designed to promote consumption.
"The passenger car market maintained its positive momentum, while the commercial vehicle market showed signs of recovery. A series of policies aimed at stimulating auto consumption have been extended and implemented more quickly. Looking ahead to the second quarter, the synergistic effects of these policies, along with new model launches at major auto shows and promotional campaigns across the country, will further unleash consumption potential and sustain market growth," said Chen Shihua, vice secretary-general of CAAM.
China's automotive exports also continued their upward trend. In the first quarter, the country exported 1.42 million vehicles, a 7.3 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, NEV exports surged by 43.9 percent to 441,000 units.
The CAAM has voiced firm opposition to additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese products, calling the move disruptive to normal trade order and warning of a significant blow to the global automotive supply chain.
"Confronted with complex and volatile external conditions, we must closely monitor developments while thoroughly implementing the national strategy to expand domestic demand, striving to mitigate negative export impacts and maintain stable industry operations," Chen said.
China's auto output, sales see robust growth in Q1 amid consumption incentives
The Malay-language edition of "The Classic Quotes by Xi Jinping", a multilingual program produced by China Media Group (CMG), began airing on Malaysian mainstream media on Tuesday, drawing public interest and highlighting bilateral cultural exchange as the Chinese president began a state visit to the country.
The program features classical Chinese texts and sayings quoted by Xi in his speeches, writings, and remarks, shedding light on his governance philosophy, cultural outlook, and historical perspective.
Through themes such as building a shared future for mankind, cultural inheritance, biodiversity protection, and mutual learning among civilizations, the series presents China's traditional values and modern vision.
The Malay-language edition was launched at a ceremony in Kuala Lumper on Tuesday, with more than 200 prominent figures from various fields in the country attending the event.
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister I Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi sent a congratulatory letter to the event, calling the airing of the Malay-language version of the program "a meaningful milestone in our growing cultural and media cooperation."
Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and CMG president, Malaysia's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Chang Lih Kang and Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching delivered speeches at the event, while Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, also delivered a video address.
Shen said the airing of the program is a vivid way of strengthening exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries and promoting friendship through culture, noting that it provides Malaysian audience a window into China's culture and modernization.
Calling Xi a visionary leader, Chang said the program allows Malaysian people to gain a deeper understanding of President Xi's thoughts on governance, and promotes mutual learning between the two civilizations as well as closer ties between their peoples.
"The Classic Quotes by Xi Jinping" is being broadcast on Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Malaysia's national broadcaster, and other mainstream media outlets.
Leading newspapers "Sin Chew Daily", "The Star", and "Sinar Harian" covered the program's debut, noting its inclusion of quotes such as "All things that grow live in harmony and benefit from the nourishment of Nature", which underscores the idea that nature is the cradle of all life, providing the essential conditions for humanity to survive and flourish.
The launch coincides with Xi's state visit to Malaysia, the second leg of his current three-nation Southeast Asia tour.
Xi, also General Secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday at the invitation of Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim.
Xi's five-day trip began with a two-day state visit to Vietnam and will conclude in Cambodia.
CMG program "Classic Quotes by Xi Jinping" launched in Malaysia
