Smart cars take center stage as Shanghai Auto Show demonstrates future of driving

The ongoing 2025 Shanghai Auto Show has set a strong focus on electric and smart vehicles, with more than 100 new cars making their global debuts as the industry powers its way towards a greener and more intelligent future.

The 10-day auto show began in the east China metropolis on Wednesday and has attracted nearly 1,000 enterprises and supply chain enterprises from 26 countries and regions, making it the largest edition in the event's history.

China's auto sector is continuing its rapid growth with production and sales on the rise, while the country's leading carmakers are also incorporating cutting-edge technologies into their vehicles.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, last year, over 57 percent of all new cars were equipped with combined driving assistance functions in China.

This year's auto show has also provided a platform for more companies to showcase their latest innovations and component parts in the auto sector. Many of these firms, specializing in automotive-grade chips, in-car AI models, and power batteries, are debuting their products, positioning them as key players in launching these intelligent technologies to the international market.

Amid this exciting new tech-driven era, automakers attending the Shanghai event have been setting out their vision clearly, highlighting the adoption of advanced technologies while reaffirming their commitment to the safety of both drivers and passengers.

"Safety is the cornerstone of car manufacturing. As the integration of cars and artificial intelligence advances, users' demands for both safety and cost-effectiveness continue to rise. For instance, our vehicles are equipped with built-in roll cages and feature designs like our original armor. These innovative technologies not only enhance the driving experience by making it more enjoyable and user-friendly but also ensure the safety of passengers while maintaining an appealing aesthetic," said Zhang Jianyong, CEO of the BAIC Group, a Beijing-based automobile firm.

Smart cars take center stage as Shanghai Auto Show demonstrates future of driving

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation