China is witnessing a booming used vehicle market, as international buyers have shown a growing interest particularly in new energy vehicles (NEVs), leading a transformative shift in the nation's automotive landscape.
According to the latest data from the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), in September, the used car market in south China's Guangdong Province experienced a notable increase in daily transactions compared with that in August, largely fueled by foreign buyers.
At the largest used car trading market in Guangzhou City, the preference for Chinese cars, especially electric models, has been evident among foreign merchants from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
"I choose only Chinese car in this market, because the Chinese car no problem with mechanical. It's cheaper and technology is better. We have just three or four brands in Africa, but here I see many many Chinese brands. I think getting a new model to African markets is good," said Benaddane Amine, an Algerian merchant.
The enthusiasm of foreign customers has brought new opportunities to local businesses. Wen Jiale, a local used car dealer, observed a shift in customer demographics since July.
"We can clearly feel that since July, many new energy vehicles have been purchased by foreigners, as about 30 to 40 percent of our customers are those from abroad," said Wen.
Amid a market shift towards more affordable and advanced vehicles, factors such as price reductions for new cars and restructuring of used car supplies are contributing to a continuous decline in used car prices.
Data from the Guangdong Automobile Circulation Association indicates that from January to August this year, the average transaction price of used cars fell to less than 66,000 yuan (about 9412.3 U.S. dollars), a decrease of 3.5 percent year on year.
"The overseas market is currently dominated by high-priced used cars from the United States, giving Chinese used cars a competitive advantage. The price of a used vehicle exported from the U.S. might triple in other countries, while that of such a vehicle from China would only increase by about 1.1 times. So I see a promising market," said Lin Jiawei, another used vehicle dealer.
In March of this year, the country fully liberalized the registration application of used car export enterprises, leading to explosive development in Guangdong's used car exports. The number of exporting companies has jumped from 21 at the beginning of the year to over 150 now.
Foreign buyers promote China's used vehicle market
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
