The production and sales of automobiles in China saw a rapid growth in April, the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed on Saturday.
In April, the production of automobiles in China reached 2.406 million units in total, rising 12.8 percent in year-on-year terms. Their sales increased 9.3 percent to 2.359 million units.
Specifically, new energy vehicle (NEV) production hit 870,000 units and their sales reached 850,000 units, up by 35.9 percent and 33.5 percent respectively year on year.
This growth propelled the market share of NEVs to a notable 36 percent in April.
In addition, the sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles reached 1.272 million units, taking up 63.5 percent of the total sales volume. Their market share increased by 8.4 percentage points compared with the same period in 2023.
"In the first four months of 2024, the market share of domestic-brand passenger vehicles surpassed 60 percent. The figure was 63.5 percent in April, continuing the growth momentum of recent years. Currently, China's NEV industry has realized the shift from focusing on quantity to quality, with its development speed beyond previous expectations," said Chen Shihua, deputy secretary general of the CAAM.
China's automobile output, sales grow rapidly in April
China's automobile output, sales grow rapidly in April
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday accused the United States of swaying an upcoming UN General Assembly vote on ending the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba by putting pressure on other countries.
The UN General Assembly will consider and vote on the draft resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" on Oct 27-28, the 34th time it has taken up the issue. For years, the resolution has been supported by the majority of the international community.
At a press conference in the capital Havana on Wednesday, Rodriguez condemned the U.S. government's pressure on other countries in an attempt to influence the General Assembly vote.
"Although some countries have firmly supported this resolution for decades, the United States has asked them to abstain or simply leave the hall and not vote this year. It's absurd," he said.
Rodriguez said the U.S. State Department is pressuring other countries through threats of punitive tariffs, suspension of cooperation projects, visa refusals and sanctions, seeking to change the voting positions of many delegations that support Cuba. He said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has personally joined the pressure campaign.
Rodriguez said this new and dangerous approach to multilateral diplomacy shows that Washington knows it lacks legitimacy and has no strength left but to resort to power politics.
He also condemned an arrest warrant issued by the U.S. state of Florida for former Cuban President Raul Castro.
"The U.S. side's issuance of an arrest warrant against Cuban Revolution leader, Army General Raul Castro Ruz, is a despicable and futile act with no legal significance and no moral legitimacy. As President Miguel Diaz-Canel said recently, it will have no practical effect," he said.
Cuba slams US for pressing countries to abstain from UNGA vote on lifting blockade
