(Yicai) Nov. 6 -- China and the European Union have an “unparalleled foundation for cooperation” on intelligent connected vehicles, new energy, and safety, according to the chief representative of the Beijing office of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

The ACEA will fully leverage its unique strengths to build a bridge for exchanges between Chinese and foreign parties through four types of activities during the Ninth China International Import Expo, Zhang Shuo told Yicai in an exclusive interview.

The four types of activities are inviting Chinese automobile industry regulators and research institutions to engage in face-to-face dialogue with international companies, facilitating exchanges between Chinese and international carmakers and between leading Chinese suppliers and foreign firms, holding industry dialogues and forums focused on the ultra-luxury vehicle and commercial vehicle segments, and providing dedicated exhibition spaces for member companies, such as Volvo Trucks, Aston Martin, and Jeep.

Representing 18 major global automakers, the ACEA is officially participating in the CIIE in Shanghai for the first time this year. Its booth focuses on two key niche markets -- ultra-luxury vehicles and commercial vehicles -- and will host two high-level forum dialogues.

“New energy is a global trend, but meeting different customer needs through diversified products is a sign of a mature market,” Zhang noted. “Although both digital watches and mobile phones can tell the time, there will always be people who prefer mechanical watches.

“China’s huge automotive market and its overall economic growth prospects are the foundation and source of appeal for international luxury automakers’ focus on China,” he added.

Last year, China and Europe accounted for about 54 percent of global auto production and 52 percent of global vehicle registrations, according to data shared by Zhang. “In other words, any decision made by China and Europe will affect the shape of the global automotive industry.”

Moreover, China and the EU are almost completely aligned in their major automotive industry goals, Zhang said. In autonomous driving and intelligent connected vehicles, they have made major moves in policy and regulatory development while advancing large-scale demonstration applications this year.

More importantly, the product access systems implemented by China and the EU are similar, and many of the national standards they cite are the same, he noted. Both of them are active participants in the international harmonization of automotive technical regulations under the United Nations framework.

“In the next decade, artificial intelligence will give us endless room for imagination when it comes to automotive products themselves, as it becomes further integrated and coordinated with cars, transportation, smart homes, and the telecom industry,” Zhang pointed out.

The auto industry, as a pillar of the national economy and a labor-intensive sector, supports a large number of jobs. He called on governments to support the auto industry more, not by imposing more restrictions, but by creating an open, inclusive, and fair environment.

Editor: Futura Costaglione