A new episode of a short documentary produced by China Global Television Network (CGTN) shows how the historic Long March spirit has driven the innovation and transformation of China's auto industry, as the country works to establish itself as a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing rather than compete directly with established foreign automakers.
Titled "China's EV Breakthrough: From Catching Up to Changing the Game," the episode tours a rapidly changing industry, from highly automated production lines to intelligent driving tests.
Lu Fang, CEO of a rising Chinese EV maker, says the Long March spirit deeply influenced his approach, particularly its principle of adapting to circumstances and formulating strategies based on actual conditions. That mindset, he says, is applied in every decision at his company.
Lu's EV production facility now supplies nearly 20,000 vehicles a month to markets worldwide. On average, one almost entirely machine-made car rolls off the line every 60 seconds, with AI integrated into every stage of the factory's production.
Yet just a few years ago, Chinese manufacturing was still widely seen as synonymous with cheap, low-quality imitations. In the era of petrol cars, Lu said, foreign brands built a century-long reputation and a loyal customer base, a barrier almost impossible to breach.
Just as the Red Army chose to avoid head-on confrontation, Chinese automakers made a similar calculation. Rather than challenge foreign brands on their own turf, Lu said, they blazed a new trail, staying independent and adapting to local realities.
The choice to take a different road, rather than fight on foreign automakers' terms, has since redrawn the map of the global auto industry. According to the International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook 2026, nearly 22 million electric cars were produced globally in 2025, and China remained the world's largest hub for their manufacturing and trade, capturing nearly 75 percent and 40 percent of the respective global totals.
The documentary is part of CGTN's "Breaking Through" series, which traces China's journey from the historic Long March undertaken by the Red Army nine decades ago to its modern-day achievements, highlighting the resilience, ingenuity and determination of its people.
CGTN documentary depicts innovative development, transformation of China's auto industry
