An aerial drone photo shows cars being loaded onto a roll-on/roll-off ship for new energy vehicles at Xiuying Port in Haikou, south China's Hainan province, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has grown into a global leader in green innovation, making NEVs a focal point at this year's "two sessions."

At a press conference on the sidelines of China's annual national legislative session, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, announced that China's NEV production has surpassed 13 million units annually, establishing a complete domestic industrial chain.

One standout success is Xiaomi's latest model, the SU7 Ultra. The model made a sensational debut, securing 6,900 orders within 10 minutes of its release and exceeding 10,000 orders within two hours.

However, the success of Chinese NEVs is not limited to the domestic market. According to the General Administration of Customs, China exported over 2 million electric vehicles in 2024. Notably, BYD reported impressive overseas sales of 67,025 units this February, highlighting its growing global presence.

Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), stressed the importance of building internationally competitive NEV clusters. He urged Chinese automakers to unite and expand into overseas markets through global partnerships and layouts that benefit all parties involved.

Chery already demonstrated this approach by forming a joint venture with Spain's Ebro last year. The partnership resulted in innovative electric cars that combine Chery's technical expertise with Ebro's brand appeal, reviving Ebro's brand and creating many local jobs.

Yin highlighted that Chinese automobiles are driving the global auto industry toward an era where fuel-powered and electric vehicles coexist with intelligent technology. To succeed in this environment, he emphasized the need to enhance research and development, especially in vehicle chips and software, while adhering to foreign regulations and meeting diverse market demands. "By leveraging safety and technology to 'pave the way,' Chinese automakers aim to access markets that others cannot reach," Yin said.

Despite challenges, Yin remained optimistic. He stressed that resilience and technological innovation are essential for overcoming obstacles. "Ultimately, it's about proving our capabilities," he said.

Michael Woo Kim-kong, vice chairman of the Supervisory Council of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), underscored the need for better coordination in NEV exports. He proposed establishing automotive industry associations abroad to encourage collaboration with local governments and industries. By setting up service centers in key overseas destinations, Chinese automakers could better navigate local laws and market environments.

Hu also suggested that Hong Kong utilize its advantages in international finance and trade to support the global expansion of Chinese NEVs. "As a global financial and trade hub, Hong Kong could offer essential facilitation for outbound automotive ventures," he said.

Liu Yiyan, an NPC deputy and executive deputy general manager of personnel and organization at SAIC Volkswagen, noted that China's NEV expansion is increasingly driven by innovation rather than cost advantages. She urged companies to enhance their innovation capacity while strengthening intellectual property protection to match their rapid global expansion.

Meanwhile, Zhu Huarong, president of Changan Auto, highlighted the importance of overseas consulting services for navigating complex regulations, diverse climates and cultural differences. He advocated for creating a unified database to consolidate key information on regulations, climate, road conditions and cultural norms, which would reduce redundancy and save resources.

"Relying on this unified database, we can extend in-depth consulting services and issue risk warnings to Chinese automakers when geopolitical or regulatory changes are expected," Zhu said.

Various national lawmakers emphasized the importance of advancing both quantity and quality simultaneously as China's NEV industry expands. For instance, as Chinese automakers continue to grow abroad, building robust after-sales service systems will be essential for maintaining a positive brand image, they said.

Feng Xingya, an NPC deputy and general manager of GAC Group, noted that existing legal frameworks can make it difficult to recall defective parts from overseas for domestic inspection, resulting in slow responses and increased costs. To address this, Feng proposed establishing recovery pilot programs and revising regulations to streamline recall procedures.