Companies participating in the ongoing Battery Show Europe have expressed their strong interest in the Chinese market, aiming to enhance cooperation with China in the field of power batteries.
Kicked off on Tuesday in Stuttgart, Germany, the three-day battery show has attracted more than 1,100 companies from around the world.
Last year, both the production and sales of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) surpassed 12 million units.
According to a report released earlier by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the country's NEV production and sales in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 50.4 and 47.1 percent, respectively, continuing the trend of high growth.
The rapid development of China's NEV industry has driven the formation of a complete industrial and supply chain in the country's power battery sector, which has sparked great expectations among European battery companies active in the Chinese market.
"I have already had discussions with a Chinese company and we are considering further cooperation. I think working with Chinese companies is excellent because they have advanced technology, excellent craftsmanship, and high-quality products. Moreover, China is more advanced in the field of batteries. Mutual exchange of ideas is very beneficial," said Michele Farruggio, managing director of ZELL Surface Technology.
"China for us is an important market because we already have a factory there. So IPTE is based in Shanghai and that's why we are taking care of our customers from Shanghai," said Esteve Llaurado, sales manager of the European Integrated Production and Test Engineering Company (IPTE).
European battery companies expect enhanced cooperation with Chinese NEV industry
European battery companies expect enhanced cooperation with Chinese NEV industry
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
