Airbus unveils research center in Suzhou, expanding tech investment in China

By GT staff reporters

Published: Apr 14, 2023 10:17 PM

"European plane maker Airbus on Friday unveiled a research center in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, pushing forward the technological infrastructure through digitalization, a fresh step show-ing European companies are further expanding tech investment in the country.

The move also came after French President Emmanuel Macron made a state visit to China last week, along with packages of trade deals signed by European companies including Airbus during the trip, which has shown that the European companies are rejecting "decoupling with China" with concrete efforts.

Strategically positioned in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China, the center, named Airbus Chi-na Research Center, will gain from its proximity to the region's strong aeronautical and hydrogen supply chain. Research will be undertaken in manufacturing innovation, hydrogen infrastructure, cabin experience and new technologies, said Airbus.

The center will also push forward the transformation and modernization of the aviation industry through digitalization and AI. In addition, the center will nurture research and innovation projects with forward-looking technology and good market prospects."

Airbus unveils research center in Suzhou, expanding tech investment in China - Global Times


Afghanistan should be venue for cooperation, not stage for geopolitical rivalries: joint statement

By Fan Anqi

Published: Apr 14, 2023 07:43 PM

"A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the interests of all members of the international community, and the country should be a venue for international cooperation rather than a stage for geopolitical rivalries, foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran stressed at the Second informal Meeting on Afghanistan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Thursday.

The ministers reiterated respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and support for the "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" principle to determine the country's political future and development path, according to a joint statement issued upon the meeting, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.

The four countries emphasized deep concerns regarding the terrorism-related security situation in Afghanistan, urging the Afghan interim government to take a more visible and verifiable approach in upholding its commitments on counter-terrorism.

The Afghan authority should take effective measures to protect the safety, security and legitimate rights of foreign institutions and citizens, the joint statement read."

Afghanistan should be venue for cooperation, not stage for geopolitical rivalries: joint statement - Global Times


Tesla sets up new-energy unit in Shanghai amid rapid expansion in Chinese market

By Global Times

Published: Apr 14, 2023 02:20 PM

"US electric car company Tesla set up a new-energy company in China, which focuses on areas such as technical services, artificial intelligence (AI) basic software development and energy storage technical services, according to reports on Friday, in the latest move of the firm's rapid expansion in the Chinese market.

The new unit has a registered capital of $2 million, which is fully funded by Tesla's Hong Kong unit and its legal representative is Tesla executive Zhu Xiaotong, according to Chinese corporate information platform Tianyancha. The unit was set up on Thursday.

The new unit will focus on a wide range of areas of business, including technical services, AI basic software development, solar power generation technology services, energy storage technology services, research and development (R&D) of motors and their control systems, and R&D of auto parts, according to Tianyancha.

The move comes just days after Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk announced on Sunday that the firm would build a new factory in Shanghai to make large-scale batteries.

"Our next Megafactory will be in Shanghai, [China] - capable of producing [10,000] Megapacks per year," Tesla said in a Tweet on Monday, which also included a picture of a signing ceremony in Shanghai."

Tesla sets up new-energy unit in Shanghai amid rapid expansion in Chinese market - Global Times


China willing to work with all parties for common debt disposal framework: central bank governor

By Global Times

Published: Apr 14, 2023 12:57 PM

"China is willing to implement a debt disposal framework with other countries, China's central bank governor Yi Gang said during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings in Washington.
Speaking in a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors during the spring meetings, Yi said China's economy is likely to grow around 5 percent this year, according to a statement released by the People's Bank of China on Friday.

Yi note that that China's economy is stabilizing and recovering, while inflation remains at a low level and positive developments have been observed in the real estate market.

Yi stressed that all parties should take concrete actions to ensure the smooth completion of IMF's 16th Quota Review and stressed that China is ready to work with all parties to implement the common framework for debt disposal."

China willing to work with all parties for common debt disposal framework: central bank governor - Global Times