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- China’s Thriving EV Industry Takes Green Innovation Global
Gliding effortlessly through 1.6-meter deep water, an electric vehicle (EV) navigating the pool amazed onlookers with its impressive capabilities. Nearby, a flying car resembling a large drone
The post China’s Thriving EV Industry Takes Green Innovation Global appeared first on Khaosod English.
CHENGDU — Gliding effortlessly through 1.6-meter deep water, an electric vehicle (EV) navigating the pool amazed onlookers with its impressive capabilities. Nearby, a flying car resembling a large drone hovered overhead, mesmerizing the crowd below.
These cutting-edge vehicles and technologies were showcased here at the 10-day Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, drawing car enthusiasts from around the globe to experience the latest innovations.
“The development potential of China’s EV market is unlimited,” Mark Rainford, founder of the YouTube channel Inside China Auto, told Xinhua at the motor show. “There’s no market anywhere in the world for EVs like China right now, and as those cars make their way to every corner of the world, they’ll drive innovation there too by default.”
SETTING SAIL FROM HOME
From Aug. 30 to Sept. 8, about 130 Chinese and foreign car companies participated in the motor show, displaying over 1,600 vehicles. On the opening day, 63 brand press conferences unveiled 73 new models, including 27 new models making their global debut.
These vehicles ranged from new energy-intelligent connected cars and plug-in hybrids to high-performance luxury sedans and striking concept cars. This diverse array of innovations provided a vivid snapshot of the Chinese automotive industry’s exploration and vision for the future of mobility, presenting customers with a wide range of choices.
An Xpeng X2 flying car is on display during Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) “Today’s EVs are smarter, more economical, and eco-friendly. I’m considering buying one for my family. Plus, features like voice commands and in-car entertainment really make my kids happy,” Ms Shuai, a visitor at the show, told Xinhua.
Shuai’s decision reflects a broader trend among Chinese consumers. In July, the retail penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China exceeded 50 percent for the first time, reaching 51.1 percent. This milestone marks a shift in the Chinese automotive market, with NEVs officially surpassing traditional fuel-powered cars to become the new mainstream, signaling a new phase of industry development.
Today, both EVs and traditional fuel-powered cars are evolving toward greater digitization, connectivity, and intelligence. Noting that the NEV industry is at a pivotal stage of development, Lu Fang, CEO of Chinese NEV brand Voyah, said that the key transformation underway is “the shift from standard NEVs to intelligent, connected ones.”
The leap in smart technology by Chinese automakers not only meets the demands of the domestic market but also paves the way for their expansion into international markets, said Kurt Bachmaier, vice president of sales and marketing of Magna Steyr, an automobile manufacturer based in Austria.
“The electrification of the Chinese auto market is now leading the world,” said Kajikawa Shinya, vice president of GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.
WORKING IN TANDEM
In 2023, China exported 4.91 million vehicles, marking a year-on-year growth of 57.9 percent. Among these, 1.203 million were NEVs, representing a 77.6 percent increase. This milestone establishes China as the world’s largest automobile exporter for the first time, highlighting that China’s NEVs are earning strong recognition both at home and abroad.
Talking about the advantages of Chinese NEVs in the global market, Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of Chinese EV maker NIO highlighted China’s well-established supply chain and abundant engineering talent, enabling domestic companies to respond quickly to market demands. Additionally, Chinese NEVs excel in intelligence and user experience, making them highly competitive in the market.
Cars are on display during Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) According to statistics from the Thai Automotive Industry Association, in 2023, the total number of registered EVs in Thailand reached approximately 76,000, accounting for 12 percent of all vehicle registrations. Notably, Chinese brands dominated the top four positions, and eight of the top 10 spots were also held by Chinese brands.
From exporting complete vehicles to building factories and establishing a presence locally, bringing benefits to local communities, China’s NEVs are venturing further.
This year, Chinese carmaker BYD’s factory in Thailand, regarded as a key automotive production hub in Southeast Asia, was officially completed and began production on July 4, with an annual capacity of about 150,000 vehicles.
New energy vehicles are displayed at the inauguration ceremony of BYD’s new plant in Rayong province, Thailand on July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Chinese automakers are leveraging their advanced technological expertise to establish factories and form joint ventures in Thailand, benefiting both the Thai people and the local automotive industry, said Suroj Sangsnit, vice president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand.
Sangsnit noted that China’s expansion into the Thai EV market not only provides Thai consumers with more choices but also brings advanced technologies, which will help Thailand establish a complete EV supply chain and create local jobs.
BYD China’s leadership in the EV market not only fosters production collaboration between local Thai automotive companies and Chinese manufacturers but also accelerates the growth of supply chain industries such as batteries and charging stations, supporting Thailand in building a full-fledged EV ecosystem, said Rachanida Nitipathanapirak, vice president of the Strategic Department at the Thailand Automotive Institute.
“We need to be more cautious and share the future potential rewards and risks with partners,” said Qin, indicating NIO is not just focused on exporting products but is also actively seeking strategic partnerships and local production capabilities to enhance its presence in international markets.
To date, NIO has established 54 battery swap stations and 21 charging stations across five European countries — Norway, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Also, NIO leverages its four research and development centers in Europe, including the Research and Development (R&D) Innovation Center and the Design Center in Germany, to drive technological innovation and application, working in tandem with its domestic R&D centers to bring advanced technologies to market.
“We would say, and we’ve been very consistent in arguing, that China’s EVs could be beneficial for Europe. They could certainly be beneficial for the transition to e-mobility in Germany,” said Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.
Noting that competition would accelerate progress towards objectives and benefit both the automotive industry and consumers, reduce carbon emissions, and facilitate the transition to EVs, Schumann said Germany should learn from the success of Chinese EVs, and that both sides should strengthen cooperation.
A staff member (L) introduces a NIO vehicle to a visitor at a NIO House in Berlin, capital of Germany, May 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) INDUSTRY FOR FUTURE
Energy transition has become a global consensus, with major economies around the world committing to achieve carbon neutrality by the mid-21st century. As the negative impacts of global warming on the environment and society become increasingly evident, reducing the carbon footprint has become a shared responsibility for governments and international organizations alike.
NEVs, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, directly lower greenhouse gas emissions, playing a crucial role in meeting the global temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement, not to mention the European Green Deal and China’s carbon neutrality goal.
The rise of EVs offers a promising path towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. By reducing emissions, decreasing pollution, and promoting renewable energy, NEVs play a crucial role in the global effort to combat climate change and protect the environment, said Schumann.
Currently, many African countries are introducing policies to support green transitions and actively building related infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for the adoption of NEVs. For instance, the Egyptian government has implemented a zero tariff policy on EVs to boost sales, while the number of charging stations in the country has multiplied in recent years.
Similarly, Indonesia has rolled out various policies in recent years to encourage the development of EVs, guiding the automotive industry toward new energy solutions. Chinese automakers have actively expanded their presence in the Indonesian market, steadily increasing their market share.
This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows a vehicle on display at the booth of Chinese automaker Wuling during the Indonesia International Motor Show 2024 at Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Developing the new energy industry and promoting green, low-carbon transitions are common goals shared by countries around the world. Only by collaboratively advancing the construction of a global green production and supply chain can people achieve an optimal global capacity structure and enhance the overall impact of global green development.
“The export of Chinese electric vehicles will drive healthy competition worldwide, promote industry advancement and cost reduction, and ultimately improve the overall trajectory of the industry,” said Herbert Diess, chairman of the supervisory board of Infineon Technologies AG, Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer.
“We must commend China for its leadership in decarbonization industries. It is an inspiration and a path that we must follow,” former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Brice Lalonde said.
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9 September 09 2024Businesshttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464914074 - Pattaya Probes Viral Sock-Muzzled Dogs’ Photos, Finds Unique Noise Control
Pattaya city officials inspected dogs in Naklua Soi after receiving complaints that over ten dogs had their mouths taped shut, potentially constituting animal cruelty.
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PATTAYA — Pattaya city officials inspected dogs in Naklua Soi after receiving complaints that over ten dogs had their mouths taped shut, potentially constituting animal cruelty. Upon investigation, it was found that this was not the case.
On September 9, officials from the Complaint Department of Pattaya City Hall and veterinarians from the Public Health and Environment Office of Pattaya City inspected dogs in Naklua Soi 12, Pattaya, Chonburi Province. This followed social media images and messages claiming that dogs’ mouths were taped shut, which led to widespread sharing and comments from animal lovers expressing concern for the dogs.
Officials met with Ms. Kanyarat, 38, and her son. They led the officials to verify the facts about the dogs appearing in social media images, asserting that it wasn’t animal cruelty but a measure to prevent the dogs from barking and causing problems for locals and tourists.
Ms. Kanyarat explained that these dogs were originally collected and bred by foreigners who then left the country. Her father continued to care for them, and as she raised them, she grew to love them and felt obligated to look after them. She believed her method wasn’t cruel, as it allowed both dogs and humans to coexist peacefully while preventing any negative impacts on others.
She mentioned that the area often has foreign tourists walking by, and the dogs, unable to distinguish between people, would bark at them. Some dogs also chase children playing in the area. Therefore, she devised mouth covers for them at night, made from old, loose school socks with the ends cut off, slipped over their mouths and tied at the neck.
The dog has socks put on its mouth around 10:00 p.m. and removed around 7:00 a.m. They stated that they put the socks on the dogs’ mouths around 10:00 p.m. and remove them around 7:00 a.m. The dogs eat before the socks are put on, and can still eat normally even with the socks on. She uses socks instead of muzzles because muzzles still allow the dogs to bark all night.
Dr. Apichaya Thurangarn, a veterinary expert from Pattaya City, told reporters that upon inspection, they found the dog caretakers to be socially responsible. The use of socks might be misunderstood, making people think the dogs can’t eat or drink, but the on-site inspection showed that these dogs can eat and drink normally.
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9 September 09 2024Social Mediahttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464914063 - Thai Government Addresses Confusion Over UN Convention on Child Refugees
Following the government’s decision to withdraw the reservation to Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which concerns the rights of refugee children
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BANGKOK — Following the government’s decision to withdraw the reservation to Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which concerns the rights of refugee children, an online debate has arisen.
This led to misunderstandings in society as some believed that all foreign children in Thailand would automatically be granted Thai citizenship.
The controversy stems from a post by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) for Southeast Asia on Friday, in which it welcomed Thailand’s withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 of the CRC, stating that this would significantly improve the protection of the human rights of refugee and asylum-seeking children in Thailand.
On September 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 does not mean that foreign children will automatically be granted Thai citizenship.
Instead, it ensures that refugee children receive adequate protection and humanitarian assistance, as the Convention states: “States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child claiming refugee status receives protection and humanitarian assistance, whether or not he or she is accompanied by his or her parents.”
Thailand has been a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child since 1988. It is one of 196 countries that have signed the Convention, making it the most ratified treaty in the world.
The withdrawal of this reservation follows a review of the legal framework and cooperation with other nations to find solutions for the accommodation and resettlement of refugees. The issue of granting nationality to foreigners remains subject to national law and is not related to the withdrawal of this reservation.
Previously, on August 30, 2024, the Department of Children and Youth announced that Thailand had made a formal declaration withdrawing its reservation to Article 22 of the Convention, which concerns the protection of refugee and asylum-seeking children. This reflects Thailand’s commitment to protect the rights of all children equally and without discrimination.
On July 9, 2024, the Cabinet approved the withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 of the CRC, which concerns the protection of refugee and asylum-seeking children, as proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Thailand has continuously protected and provided services to refugee children in accordance with appropriate measures.
An undated photo of the Mae La refugee camp in Trat province. Photo: IOM / Courtesy Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, addressed concerns raised by a content creator and the public on social media regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 22, which states that a child has the right to care, including education, health care, food and proper development.
“There has been a misunderstanding that Thailand must grant citizenship to these children under Article 22, which is completely false,” he said.
Warawut explained that Article 22 of the CRC does not mention nationality at all. It focuses on protection and ensuring that a child can grow up physically and mentally with the care they deserve. Importantly, Article 22 has been implemented worldwide for over 40 years and has been ratified by more than a hundred countries.
“I want to make it clear to those who wonder why Thailand has to take care of foreign children and does not prioritize Thai children. We take care of all children. And when Thai children are in need abroad, these countries take care of Thai children as well as their own, but they do not grant citizenship to anyone,” Wara Wut said.
He reiterated that Thailand’s endorsement of Article 22 of the CRC does not mean that anyone will be granted citizenship. He urged the public to disseminate accurate information as misconceptions are widespread while accurate information is less common. He asked everyone to help disseminate the correct information.
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9 September 09 2024Politicshttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464914058 - Flooding Sweeps Away a Bus and a Bridge Collapses in Vietnam as Deaths Rise to 64
A bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding Monday as more rain fell on northern Vietnam from a former typhoon that has caused at least 59 deaths
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HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding Monday as more rain fell on northern Vietnam from a former typhoon that has caused at least 64 deaths in the Southeast Asian country, state media reported.
Nine people died during the typhoon, which made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday before weakening to a depression, and 50 others died during the consequent floods and landslides. The water levels of several rivers in northern Vietnam were dangerously high.
A passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province Monday morning. Rescuers were deployed but landslides blocked the path to where the incident took place.
Flood triggered by Typhoon Yagi submerges houses in Bac Giang province, Vietnam Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (Le Danh Lam/VNA via AP) In Phu Tho province, rescue operations were continuing after a steel bridge over the engorged Red River collapsed Monday morning. Reports said 10 cars and trucks along with two motorbikes fell into the river. Three people were pulled out of the river and taken to the hospital, but 13 others were missing.
Pham Truong Son, 50, told VNExpress that he was driving on the bridge on his motorcycle when he heard a loud noise. Before he knew what was happening, he was falling into the river. “I felt like I was drowned to the bottom of the river,” Son told the newspaper, adding that he managed to swim and hold on to a drifting banana tree to stay afloat before he was rescued.
Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall Saturday with winds up to 149 kph (92 mph). It weakened to a tropical depression Sunday, but the country’s meteorological agency has still warned the continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides.
A bridge collapse due to floods triggered by typhoon Yagi in Phu Tho province, Vietnam on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 (Bui Van Lanh/ VNA via AP) On Sunday, a landslide killed six people including an infant and injured nine others in Sa Pa town, a popular trekking base known for its terraced rice fields and mountains. Overall, state media reported 21 deaths and at least 299 people injured from the weekend.
Skies were overcast in the capital, Hanoi, with occasional rain Monday morning as workers cleared the uprooted trees, fallen billboards and toppled electricity poles. Heavy rain continued in northwestern Vietnam and forecasters said it could exceed 40 centimeters (15 inches) in places.
Initially, at least 3 million people were left without electricity in Quang Ninh and Haiphong provinces, and it’s unclear how much has been restored.
The two provinces are industrial hubs, housing many factories that export goods including EV maker VinFast and Apple suppliers Pegatrong and USI. Factory workers told The Associated Press on Sunday that many industrial parks were inundated and the roofs of many factories had been blown away.
Flood triggered by Typhoon Yagi submerges houses in Bac Giang province, Vietnam Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (Le Danh Lam/VNA via AP) Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong city on Sunday and approved a package of $4.62 million to help the port city recover.
Yagi also damaged agricultural land, nearly 116,192 hectares where rice is mostly grown.
Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines last week and four deaths in southern China.
Chinese authorities said infrastructure losses across the Hainan island province amounted to $102 million with 57,000 houses collapsed or damaged, power and water outages and roads damaged or impassable due to fallen trees. Yagi made a second landfall in Guangdong, a mainland province neighboring Hainan, on Friday night.
Storms like Typhoon Yagi were “getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall,” said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
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9 September 09 2024Internationalhttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464914051 - International Schools in Thailand Thrive, Reaching $2.5 Billion in 2024
International schools in Thailand continue to grow, contrary to the overall declining number of students and schools in Thailand due to falling birth rates
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BANGKOK — International schools in Thailand continue to grow, contrary to the overall declining number of students and schools in Thailand due to falling birth rates, according to a leading Thai research center.
Kasikorn Research Center stated this growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of foreign education curricula and the rising number of parents with high educational investment potential.
The overall number of students in Thailand has been steadily decreasing, with a 1.7% drop in 2024 compared to the previous year. In contrast, the number of students in international schools increased by 10.2%.
Looking at birth statistics, which have been consistently declining, the number of students is expected to decrease. Between 2012-2024, the average annual birth rate declined by 4.5%, while the overall number of students in the system decreased by 0.9%. However, the number of students in international schools grew at an average rate of 6.9% per year.
Kasikorn Research Center The increasing trend of students in international schools in Thailand is due to several factors. One of these is the rise in foreign students, which corresponds with the number of foreign executives working in Thailand, growing at an average of 0.6% annually over the past 10 years.
Additionally, the growing popularity of foreign education curricula, which are constantly updated and modernized compared to Thai curricula, along with parents’ increased investment potential in education, contributes to this trend. This is reflected in the projected 24% increase in the number of people with assets over $1 million in Thailand between 2023-2028.
In 2024, the overall number of schools decreased by 0.5% from the previous year, reaching 33,098 schools. Compared to the 2012 academic year, this represents a 6.6% contraction or about 2,355 schools.
Due to the continued decline in the overall number of students, there has been a gradual closure of schools between the 2012-2024 academic years. Government schools have an average decline rate of 0.6% per year, and private schools with Thai curricula have also been declining at an average of 0.7% per year.
In contrast, the number of international schools has grown by an average of 5.0% per year, opposite to other types of schools. This reflects the trend of shifting school businesses towards foreign education curricula.
Harrow International School Bangkok The trend of international school businesses shows that competition is expanding more into areas outside Bangkok. Between 2012-2024, the average annual growth rate of students and international schools in other regions was 4.3% and 6.3% higher than in Bangkok, respectively.
Increased competition in the international school business and limited space in Bangkok have led to the exploration of new markets in major cities such as Chiang Mai, Rayong, and Phuket in recent years.
The economies of 21 major cities have grown at a higher rate than Bangkok. In 2022, the GDP per capita growth rate of these 21 major cities was 2% higher than Bangkok, making markets outside Bangkok more attractive.
This trend shows opportunities for expanding international school businesses to areas outside Bangkok, especially in the central and eastern regions. These are likely to be potential markets because they have the second-highest number of households with incomes over 100,000 baht ($2,960) per month, after Bangkok and its vicinity.
However, since the number of target households in each region is less than in Bangkok, operators may need to adjust tuition fees to match the different parental incomes in each area.
Regent’s International School Bangkok It is expected that in 2024, the market value of Thai international schools will grow by about 13% from 2023, reaching 87 billion baht ($2.5 Billion). This growth is driven by increasing popularity in international curricula and expansion into new markets, resulting in a high 10.2% expansion in the number of students from the previous year. It is also supported by an average 3.8% increase in tuition fees from the 2023 academic year.
The risks for international school businesses include the increasing tuition fees, which may lead parents to consider sending their children to study abroad instead, as the gap between tuition fees is narrowing.
In the 2024 academic year, the average annual tuition fee for international schools in Thailand is 764,484 baht ($22,655), while the average annual tuition fee for boarding schools in New Zealand is about 1,150,208 baht ($34,085).
Moreover, international schools may face challenges from competition with private Thai curriculum schools that are improving quality and have lower costs. Parents may decide to switch to private Thai curriculum schools that offer English language programs and teach multiple languages such as Thai, English, and Chinese, challenging the language strengths of international schools.
Additionally, technological advancements have made homeschooling easier. Since homeschooling costs are lower than attending international schools, this could affect the number of students in international schools. The cost of taking the GED (U.S. high school equivalency) exam along with 100 hours of one-on-one tutoring is approximately 160,800 baht ($4,765).
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8 September 08 2024Businesshttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464914009