China's new energy vehicles (NEVs) have seen sustained popularity in European automotive market for their remarkable blend of high quality and affordability.
Data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed that in the first half of this year, China exported 1.06 million new NEVs, a year-on-year increase of 75.2 percent.
Many European consumers now view the quality of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as comparable to those produced by established automotive leaders.
"I know Chinese electric cars are at least as good as German ones," said a resident in Budapest, capital of Hungary.
"[They are] excellent and great value for money. I've had the chance to drive both BYD and Tesla EVs, and both are very good. I think BYD can match Tesla's performance at half the price," said another customer from Hungarian city of Debrecen.
Overseas consumers' recognition of Chinese EVs stems largely from firsthand experience.
"A year and a half ago, I drove a Chinese-brand EV -- an MG. It was my first electric car, and the experience was surprisingly good," said a marketing manager of an automotive company in Hungary.
Some European consumers have highlighted the existing limitations in NEV infrastructure within their countries.
"But we still have a long way to go because there aren’t enough charging stations for the number of people buying EVs now," said a resident in Madrid, Spain.
Industry insiders attribute the rapid growth of Chinese NEV exports and their global recognition to Chinese automakers' mastery of technologies.
"In autonomous driving, China has already established collaborations with all major global manufacturers and is technologically leading. I believe many Western automakers are closely watching how to integrate China's mature technologies into their own models," said Peter Holdmann, a member of the Board of Management at German auto parts giant ZF.
"China is increasingly seen as an innovation hub. Many manufacturers and suppliers are choosing to debut their products and test new technologies in China first before rolling them out globally. This has become a trend," said Claus-Peter Koth, an editor-in-chief of the well-known professional automotive media Automobile Industry in Germany.
Chinese high-quality NEVs gain popularity in European 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
