The dealers of Chinese-brand electric motorcycles in Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand have reported growing sales driven by supportive local policies and rising fuel prices.
In Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, dealers said the sales at a Chinese-brand motorcycle store have been rising over the past six months.
"Compared with last year, when we could sell only a few units a month, now we can sell dozens or even several hundred units every month," said Chen Jin, a local dealer.
"Both imports and sales of electric two-wheelers have surged remarkably this year, at a rate of roughly 70 percent. Nearly all electric two-wheelers imported into Cambodia are from China," said Chenla Chan, another dealer.
In March this year, Cambodia drastically slashed tariffs on products related to electric vehicles to offer policy incentives.
Driven by sustained sales growth, several Chinese brands have opted to set up local plants to guarantee after-sales services.
In Thailand, sales of Chinese e-motorcycles are also rising, with dealer stores in the capital Bangkok receiving flows of customers.
"My daily fuel cost is about 150 to 170 baht (about 4.5 to 5 U.S. dollars). Then I learned that this electric two-wheeler can save fuel cost as stated in its leaflet and I also want to cut my daily spending. I've come to the store several times and I think I should make up my mind to buy one today," said a local motorcycle taxi driver.
The store manager said sales of Chinese-brand electric vehicles have been surging this year, jumping up even to 200 percent in recent months, with the sales of single month exceeding 10,000 units.
Chinese electric two-wheelers exported to Thailand have been upgraded with waterproof and heat-resistant features to better meet the demand of local customers since climate in the country is hot and humid.
Chinese e-motorcycle sales grow in Southeast Asia
The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce began soliciting public opinions on a draft amendment to China's e-commerce law on Saturday.
The draft amendment contains 20 provisions, including those aimed at broadening the law's regulatory scope.
In addition to platforms and in-platform merchants, it will further clarify the rights and obligations of other participants in the platform economy.
It highlights the need to improve the liability framework for platforms, calling for a wider range of regulatory tools and stronger support for routine oversight.
Targeting cross-sector operations in the platform economy, the draft amendment calls for stronger coordination among regulators. Measures include applying consistent oversight to both online and offline businesses and strengthening cross-department collaboration.
To tackle serious illegal practices in the e-commerce sector, the draft amendment will revise relevant provisions in response to public concerns.
It also proposes steps to deepen opening-up and cooperation in the sector by promoting alignment with international rules and standards, encouraging industry self-discipline and orderly overseas expansion, and adding measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of companies.
The two authorities said that they will optimize the draft amendment in light of public feedback and work to advance the revision as soon as possible, providing a strong legal foundation for innovation and sound development in the platform economy.
Promoting innovation and sound development in the platform economy is a key task set out in the outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The outline calls for stronger oversight of platform companies' data and algorithms, as well as their traffic and operating rules, while underscoring the need to foster mutually beneficial development among enterprises, merchants and workers.
China seeks public feedback on draft amendment to e-commerce law
