China will take the upcoming visit of Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger as an opportunity to further advance its friendly strategic partnership with Austria, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
"China and Austria are friendly strategic partners. This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Bilateral ties are in good shape with practical cooperation in various fields making steady progress, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges creating numerous highlights. This will be the first visit to China by Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger after taking office. The two foreign ministers will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. As the two countries mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, China stands ready to have closer exchanges, build up consensus and carry forward the friendship with Austria for greater progress in developing the friendly strategic partnership," Guo said. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger will visit China from June 22 to 26, Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Sunday.
FM spokesman on Austrian FM's visit to China
New energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 56.9 percent of all new car sales in China in May, against 50.8 percent in 2025 and 40.9 percent in 2024, according to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
With nearly 1.5 million units sold last month, the country's NEV market is growing at a pace that continues to outstrip global expectations.
Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of CAAM, attributed the momentum to a combination of falling costs, rapid technological upgrades and a fundamental change in consumer preferences. Even as traditional gasoline car sales soften, NEVs have carved out an independent growth trajectory.
For Chinese buyers, the appeal of NEVs goes far beyond cost savings. The battleground has shifted to the software-defined cabin. Domestic AI models are increasingly being integrated into vehicles, transforming the driving experience from a mechanical task into something highly intuitive.
Some models now use sensors and facial recognition to detect a driver's mood, automatically adjusting ambient lighting, music and even cabin fragrances. As a dealership manager in Chongqing noted, consumers are no longer obsessing over horsepower; they are prioritizing smart features and the overall user experience.
This tech-heavy push is happening alongside a dramatic drop in prices. As battery material costs stabilize and advanced manufacturing techniques, such as integrated die-casting, become standard, automakers are passing the savings directly to consumers.
Brands like BYD and Leapmotor are now offering vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems for under 100,000 yuan, with some entry-level NEVs priced around 80,000 yuan.
Charging infrastructure, long cited as a potential bottleneck, is also keeping pace with demand. According to the National Energy Administration, China had deployed nearly 22 million charging facilities nationwide as of April.
The network now spans from urban centers to remote rural areas, making the promise of charging as convenient as refueling a tangible reality for millions of drivers. Government incentives, including trade-in subsidies, are further fueling this momentum.
Chinese consumers embrace NEVs
