Int'l carmakers partner with Chinese firms at Auto Shanghai 2025

Some of the world's leading carmakers are teaming up with Chinese firms to make their vehicles smarter and more intelligent, as their latest new auto innovations go on display at the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, also known as Auto Shanghai.

The 10-day event got underway in the eastern China metropolis on Wednesday and is expected to see over 100 new product debuts among the 1,000 participating auto brands, while over 100,000 daily visitors are set to descend on one of the world's largest auto shows.

The exhibition is showcasing everything from cutting-edge auto parts to global firsts in car models, offering a glimpse into the future of transportation.

As AI technology evolves rapidly, "intelligence" has become a focal point for automakers, and many recognize China as a critical player in shaping the future of their businesses.

German auto giant Porsche has continued to expand its presence in China in recent years and has established a specialized center to focus its efforts in better catering to the crucial Chinese market.

"Clearly, this is a very dynamic market. Intelligent vehicle features are extremely important. That's the reason why we have set up our 'One China R and D', so we have bundled all our capabilities, all our technical experiences in one division, in one location, so research and development, procurement, quality, engineering and also digitalization," said Alexander Pollich, CEO of Porsche China.

One of the eye-catching new components on display at the auto show is an intelligent cockpit system developed by Germany-based automotive supply firm Brose. This system aims to create a future where car keys are obsolete.

Michael Brandstetter, executive vice president of Brose's Exterior Business Division, highlighted the growing importance of China when it comes to the innovation and technology fields.

"As the Chinese market is getting more and more important, [in terms of] innovation, especially in technology and connectivity, in comfort functions, we as Brose will also move some innovation tasks from completely globally to China, to be on site, on the market where also the demands and the end consumers are, which is giving us the input," he said.

Some automakers are also keen to tap into China's rapidly advancing artificial intelligence sector. Visteon, an American manufacturer of auto parts, is collaborating with Volcano Engine, a large AI model developed by China's ByteDance, to enhance its products' intelligence.

"AI will undoubtedly continue to develop in China. That's why we immediately partnered with Volcano Engine two years ago to combine our strengths and make us stronger. With the advancements in the industry, particularly in chip computing, we've successfully turned this idea into a tangible product," said Wei Wei, vice president of Visteon China.

Int'l carmakers partner with Chinese firms at Auto Shanghai 2025

The new China-Mongolia cross-border railway is expected to serve as a new bridge for boosting connectivity between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing on Thursday.

China and Mongolia held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday to mark the official launch of construction on the Gantsmod–Gashuunsukhait rail project, which will be the second cross-border rail link between the two countries.

Lin said at a regular press briefing that the railway would inject new momentum into the development of China-Mongolia bilateral relations.

"On May 14, China and Mongolia held a ceremony to mark the official groundbreaking of the Gantsmod-Gashuunsukhait cross-border railway, which is the second cross-border railway between the two countries. Expanding cooperation in key areas such as economy and trade, energy, mining and connectivity is an important common understanding between President Xi Jinping and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. In February this year, Premier Li Qiang and Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene jointly witnessed the exhibiting of the cooperation agreement on the Gantsmod-Gashuunsukhait railway and coal trade," said Lin.

"The construction of this cross-border railway is not only a concrete step of implementing the important common understanding between the presidents of the two countries, but also an important action to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and Mongolia's Steppe Road Program. We hope this railway will serve as a new bridge for China-Mongolia connectivity, fostering deeper development integration, promoting industrial synergy, and expanding visits and exchanges, thereby injecting new impetus in to the building of a China-Mongolia community with a shared future," he said.

New cross-border railway to enhance connectivity between China, Mongolia: FM spokesman