The 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, featuring 117 global premieres and 278 new energy vehicle (NEV) models, concluded on Saturday after a dynamic 10-day run, underscoring the rapid ascent of China's NEVs, with annual sales now surpassing 9 million units.
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, known for its smartphones and intelligent home appliances, captured the spotlight this year by venturing into the competitive auto market with its sporty SU7 electric sedan.
Long queues formed at Xiaomi's booth early in the morning during the show, as excited spectators eagerly awaited a closer look at their sleek new cars, indicating strong consumer interest.
"We have attracted considerable attention from both domestic and international exhibitors and visitors, receiving about 20,000 to 30,000 visitors everyday," said Fan Bo, a representative from Xiaomi.
The auto show was a major draw for almost all Chinese independent new energy vehicle manufacturers, with their booths bustling with interest from both Chinese and international visitors.
This year, Chinese brands featured high-tech innovations and stylish designs, drawing significant attention from global automotive giants, something incredible just 10 years ago.
"In 2014, the exhibition booths were dominantly taken by international multinational companies, and the models on display were mostly powered by internal combustion engines. But in 2024, you see a significant presence of independent Chinese brands at the auto show.In just one decade, from the perspective of the auto show, China's new energy vehicles have made a leapfrog development by starting from scratch and evolving from a follower to a lead runner," explained Chai Zhanxiang, assistant president of automotive branch of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
Auto show evidences China's rapid shift to new energy vehicles
A member with a Japanese think-tank on nuclear energy on Friday condemned the release of nuclear-contaminated water, calling it an irresponsible move taken by the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company under a situation that has failed to ensure the safety and reliability.
On the same day, Japan started the sixth round of release of nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. About 7,800 tons of nuclear-contaminated water are being discharged from about a kilometer off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture via an underwater tunnel until June 4.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Tamotsu Sugenami, a member of the Japan's Citizens' Commission on Nuclear Energy, stressed that Japan has a responsibility to properly manage the nuclear-contaminated water.
"Japan should shoulder the responsibility for the well management [of nuclear-contaminated wastewater]. However, so far, the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company haven't adopted any practical measures to cope with it, which has resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of nuclear-contaminated water," said Sugenami.
He pointed out that the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company have been using a variety of methods to promote the so-called safety of releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, which is deceptive.
"Tritium itself is a radioactive substance. And it is a fact that it cannot be filtered out of the water. Despite the dilution with a large amount of seawater, the discharged water still remains contaminated which is undeniable. The Japanese government calls it 'treated water,' but it's just a change of name. In essence, it is still nuclear-contaminated water," Sugenami said.
Sugenami also noted that the impact from the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant has been profound even after 13 years. He called on the Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company to adopt necessary measures to safely advance the settlement of the waste furnace.
"It has been 13 years since the accident occurred at the Fukushima nuclear plant. But much of the waste treatment work of the furnace was temporarily organized. Such a long-term approach to temporarily cope with the water will inevitably lead to various safety incidents. Japan must acknowledge its failure in this regard. And the whole society should recognize its responsibility for the nuclear accident," said Sugenami.
Hit by an earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.
The plant has been generating a massive amount of water polluted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings.
Japanese nuclear energy think-tank condemns nuclear-contaminated water release
