Global attendees at the ongoing 23rd Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition expressed excitement over China's booming automotive market, highlighting Chinese vehicles' innovative technologies, rising quality, and competitive pricing.
As south China's biggest annual automotive industry exhibition, this year's event is taking place from Nov. 21 to 30 in Guangdong Province.
The growing variety and quality of Chinese vehicles has attracted visitors from around the world, with the selection on display impressing even those from countries with traditionally strong automotive industries.
"I want to see what's going on the Chinese market. I'm some quite often in China and it's so rapidly evolving. It's super exciting to see all the new cars brands coming up and new technologies. I'm actually here to get a feeling of the market," said a visitor from Germany.
Others marveled at the tremendous progress of China's auto industry in a short time span.
"So many new concepts, really nice looking, especially Chinese-made [cars]. The Chinese car industry has tremendous progress in recent years. I've been out of China in college and actually I left China in the beginning of 2020. When I returned after four years, I didn't recognize it. They're all brand new cars, all new designs. It's really number one now in the world I think," said a visitor.
Some Chinese carmakers have been making names for themselves around the world as brands that provide high value for cost. One example is smartphone and consumer electronics products maker Xiaomi, which last year unveiled its first electric car after just three years of development.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Chinese brands, innovative brands like Xiaomi. I really love Xiaomi. Because I think in China you have a lot of potential, a lot of new cars. I'm looking for Chinese brands, mainly," a visitor said.
"Some really good Chinese vehicles are being made. The quality is increasing. The price is great. I think the Chinese vehicles are taking over [the lead in the global auto market]," another said.
Overseas visitors to Guangzhou auto show applaud China's auto industry progress
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
