Tesla founder Musk visits China as rivals showcase new electric cars at the Beijing Auto Show

Beijing (AFP) – Tesla Founder and Chairman of the Executive Board Elon Musk He met with a senior government leader in the Chinese capital on Sunday, as the country's automakers showcase their capabilities The latest models of electric cars At the Beijing Auto Show.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang told Musk that he hopes the United States will work more with China on “win-win” cooperation, citing Tesla's operations in China as a successful example of economic cooperation, China Central Broadcasting Corporation CCTV reported on its main evening news program.

For China, Musk is a welcome antidote to the tough talk by US officials that has emerged recently During the visit By Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Li's comments also reflect China's efforts to attract foreign investment to boost its faltering economy.

It was not clear whether Musk would visit the country or not Car showroom, which continues through this week. Chinese automakers and startups have launched a range of electric vehicles in recent years, some of which… Go head to head With Tesla and undermining the American company in terms of price.

A previous report by online channel CCTV said that Musk came at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and met with its president, Ren Hongbin, to exchange views on further cooperation and other topics.

Tesla has a main manufacturing base in Shanghai for domestic sales in China and exports to Europe and other regions. It cut prices in China a week ago, bringing the price of the Model 3 down to 231,900 yuan ($32,700) and the Model Y to 249,900 yuan ($35,200), after which Similar discounts in the United States

The European Union has I launched an investigation In Chinese support for the electric car industry, which could lead to the imposition of tariffs on electric cars made in China, including Tesla cars.

Green energy subsidies have helped transform China's auto market, with electric vehicles accounting for about a quarter of new car sales last year, eroding demand for gasoline-powered vehicles.

Foreign automobile manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Nissan It is striving to develop new models of electric vehicles to retain or regain market share in China, the world's largest automobile market.