Biz Today China Plus

The 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition has been held with electric and hybrid vehicles taking center stage. Featuring nearly 280 new energy models, the event impressed visitors with advanced technologies and affordable options. What are the show’s highlights, how can automakers maintain competitiveness moving forward?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is hundreds of billions of dollars richer after receiving encouraging news during his latest China trip. The company's locally produced EVs passed the country's data security test, and the US automaker secured a deal to use maps from China’s search giant Baidu. How will these developments pave the way for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving rollout in China?

Some US and Western politicians and media outlets have recently claimed "overcapacity" in China's industrial sector. They have focused on the growth of Chinese manufacturing in new green industries like electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels. In 2023, China became the world's largest auto exporter, with a significant increase in sales of new energy vehicles. What's behind China's NEV success? Why does the "overcapacity" narrative conflict with the global demand for new energy vehicles and basic economic principles?

China's economy shows sustained recovery and improvement in the first quarter, with GDP growth hitting 5.3%. Data shows that increased retail sales, investment growth, and increasing imports and exports all indicate the steady recovery of the country's economy. We’ll also hear about the latest consumption trends from the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan (00:53).
The IMF has lifted its global economic outlook for this year to 3.2 percent. What are the challenges and opportunities facing the world economy (19:40)?

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up her visit to China. What are the highlights of the visit (00:46)?
The U.S. consumer price index rose 3.5% in March. What does the latest figure mean for the Federal Reserve’s future interest rate cuts (14:36)?

China's manufacturing sector experienced its most rapid expansion in over a year in March. The official PMI rose from 49.1 in February to 50.8 in March. What does it mean for China's economy (00:37)?
A survey conducted by Japan's central bank reveals that business sentiment among major non-manufacturing companies in the country has reached a three-decade high in the first quarter of 2024. What's the current state of Japan's economy, and what is the key that will allow the central bank to raise interest rates again (18:25)?

The Boao Forum for Asia was held this week in Hainan province. Global security, the world economy, science and technology innovation, and the impact of artificial intelligence topped the agenda. The forum has released its annual report on Asia's economic prospects, calling for growth of 4.5% this year, supported mainly by solid consumption. What are the driving forces for Asia’s economy? What are the potential challenges? What advantages do Asian economies have when it comes to disruptive technologies like AI？