China's competition in NEV industry in line with times, technological development: expert

China's competition in the field of electric vehicles is in line with the trend of the times and technological development, according to Zhu Min, Vice-Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges, adding that the "overcapacity" allegation against China is totally untenable and goes against the trend of Zeitgeist.

During talks with China Central Television (CCTV), Zhu noted that the "overcapacity" claim is basically a protectionist viewpoint that aims to stifle the development of China's new energy vehicle industry.

"These viewpoints [Western claims] reflect a protectionist mindset, and a rather insular one. They held that if you establish factories with more advanced technology in my country, you will snatch my country's employment opportunities, and therefore I cannot let you enter. This perspective is very obsolete. China welcomes enterprises from around the world. The competition in the field of electric vehicles is forward-looking, inclusive, and in line with the trend of the times and technological development, which is in conformity with the global pursuit of carbon neutrality. It's untenable and cliche to accuse China of 'overcapacity'," Zhu said.

Zhu also slammed the "overcapacity" narrative from the economics principles.

"First, for instance, for government subsidies, most of China's new energy vehicle manufactures are privately-owned, and there are obviously no government subsidies available to them. Second, for the issue of dumping, it usually means selling products in overseas markets at much cheaper prices than in domestic markets. Another indicator is to see if the sales of electric vehicles in foreign markets are larger than that in the domestic market. However, China's sales in foreign markets are far less than in the domestic market, for China boasts tremendous domestic market. Therefore, from the perspective of the fundamental economics principles, the claims of 'overcapacity' and dumping are totally untenable," he said.

China's competition in NEV industry in line with times, technological development: expert

As Israeli forces continued their operations in the eastern part of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, on Wednesday, the local residents find their lives becoming increasingly difficult, entrenched in a harrowing reality of despair and uncertainty.

Since the beginning of the assault overnight on Monday, Israel has stated that it has taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, which has served as a passage for humanitarian aid from Egypt to the war-torn Gaza Strip, rendering it out of service.

Israeli forces attacked Rafah city from both the ground and air, the military stated, while residents reported heavy and relentless bombardments, leading to tens of thousands of residents being displaced.

"Where am I supposed to go? We have been pushed to the border of Egypt now. Now, the Israeli army wants us to leave Rafah. Where shall we go after leaving Rafah? Should we jump into the sea? Personally, I don't want to leave Rafah, but I'm worried about my children. I'm not afraid of death, but my children haven't done anything wrong," said Muhammad Cardi, a displaced person.

"I rode to the Rafah crossing, but found out that the Israeli army had controlled it, so I quickly came back. I got injured that day and was in pain for the whole day. I don't know what I should do first, treating my arm or evacuating my family to other places, and I am facing various other difficulties such as eating and drinking. We are living in a huge tragedy, and the entire world can't find a solution to it," said Muhammad Alcala, another displaced person.

Rafah residents' lives getting more difficult amid Israeli offensive