Transport

A BYD Co. Dolphin electric vehicle at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, China, on 4 September 2023. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

Is China's EV rise a true success?

The EV adventure in China has been successful in some respects, not least with 5.9 million EVs sold on the Chinese market, amounting to 59% of EVs sold globally. However, as a means to reduce climate change, the effort has tended to “put the cart in front of the horse”, because EVs are not particularly environmentally friendly without a steady stream of renewable electricity supply. Academic Erik Baark lays out the factors involved.
Cars waiting to be loaded onto a ship at Lianyungang port, in Jiangsu province, China, on 13 July 2023. (AFP)

China’s auto exports belie roadblocks to conquering Europe and US

Chinese automakers have performed well in their push to go global, especially as Europe is now its biggest overseas market. But with Europe and the US ramping up policies to promote their own EV industries, the road ahead for Chinese automakers is not without hurdles.
Russia's Pacific Fleet warships parade off the port city of Vladivostok during the Navy Day celebrations on 30 July 2023. (Pavel Korolyov/AFP)

India, Russia and the Northern Sea Route: Navigating a shifting strategic environment

With China intensifying its interest in the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route, India also looks to subtly increase its cooperation with Russia in the shipping route which can significantly reduce sailing time between Europe and Asia. But India has strategic reasons of its own to do so.
An accident scene involving three vehicles in Chiayi, Taiwan, 12 June 2023. (CNS)

Taiwanese fail miserably when it comes to traffic safety and etiquette

While Taiwan is known for its food and scenery, it is also notorious for its dangerous roads. A series of recent accidents has brought the problem into the spotlight. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Woon Wei Jong looks into Taiwan’s road safety issue and what can be done to improve it.
People on scooters wait in evening rush-hour traffic in the central business district on a day with heavy pollution in Beijing, China, 10 March 2023. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

More ride-hailing drivers may not be a good sign for Chinese economy

China’s ride-hailing market has seen exponential growth this year, which some attribute to the recovery of economic activity. However, others believe that the increase in ride-hailing drivers reflects increased unemployment. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Daryl Lim looks into the potential oversaturation and different factors impacting the market.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdymukhamedov and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrive for the joint press conference of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, Shaanxi province, China, 19 May 2023. (Florence Lo/Reuters)

China strengthens its influence in Central Asia as Russia looks on

The China-Central Asia Summit may have ended last week, but it seems that it is just the beginning for China’s re-consolidated relations with Central Asia and also Russia, with an exchange of visits between Chinese and Russian officials coming up. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that China’s influence in Central Asia is strengthening, not least the result of Russia’s embroilment in the war in Ukraine.
A cargo ship berths at Lianyungang port, in Jiangsu province, China, on 9 May 2023. (AFP)

Chinese exporters turn toward emerging markets

The diverging performance of China’s ports reflects a shift in trade for the world’s largest exporter. A growing proportion of shipments are destined for emerging markets such as countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Latin America, and an increasing share of exports consist of intermediate goods and capital items. Meanwhile, the shift in demand for Chinese exports is driving up prices for container shipping, squeezing margins for China’s small, private exporters.
Shipping containers are seen at a commercial port in Vladivostok, Russia, 15 February 2023. (Tatiana Meel/Reuters)

Russia opening Vladivostok port to China after 163 years

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has opened the key port of Vladivostok to China, which will enhance the transportation of domestic goods in China’s northeast region. Many see this as an act of goodwill, while some believe that Russia could be turning into a vassal of China. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong takes us through what the port opening means for China.
Visitors at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, China, on 18 April 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP)

Chinese smart-car makers get into Tesla’s lane

By 2024, the performance of Chinese autonomous smart cars will match that of Tesla at the end of 2022 and early 2023, say Chinese industry experts. But while the commercial prospects for autonomous vehicles are promising, the road leading to them is bumpy as automakers are still in search of effective, affordable technology solutions.