Opposition voices in Germany become vocal as crucial vote on EU EV tariffs approaches

As EU countries are expected to vote on whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on Friday, dissenting voices have grown louder.

Germany is expected to vote against the tariffs on Chinese EVs in Friday’s vote, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Reuters also reported that a German government spokesperson declined to comment. 

Germany abstained in a non-binding vote in July on the European Commission's (EC) proposal to impose tariffs. Since then, German carmakers, which made a third of their sales last year in China, have pressured the government to oppose these tariffs. 

IG Metall, the powerful German labor union, along with employee representatives from the nation's major carmakers, said in a statement on Thursday that Germany should vote against the introduction of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.

"We say unequivocally: tariffs are the wrong approach because they will not improve the competitiveness of the European automotive industry," they said in a joint statement.

German carmaker Volkswagen on Wednesday urged Germany to vote against the EU tariffs, arguing that they would not improve the competitiveness of the auto industry.

Another German carmaker BMW also urged the German government to tread cautiously regarding proposed tariffs on Chinese EVs in a statement released on Wednesday.

In addition to Germany, Spain has called for the EU to seek a compromise and negotiated outcome with China. 

Instead of imposing tariffs, the EU should "keep negotiations open ... beyond the binding vote" to reach a deal on prices and the relocation of battery production to the bloc, Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo wrote in a letter to European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, as reported by Reuters.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last month during a visit to China that the EU should reconsider its position on tariffs, and urged Brussels and Beijing to avoid a trade war.

Hungary has also expressed strong opposition, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stating on Facebook on Thursday that Budapest would vote against the "harmful and dangerous" plan.

China has engaged in extensive talks with the EC and EU member states regarding the EV tariffs. In September, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao visited Italy, Germany, Belgium and the EU headquarters, where he held in-depth and constructive talks with the heads of relevant departments, especially with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on the direction of negotiations for a proper resolution of the matter. 

The European Commission announced in July that it will impose provisional countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China, ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent. 

The EU duties would become definitive for five years if approved by representatives of the bloc's 27 member states in Friday's vote. Experts believe EU’s increasingly protectionist moves will negatively impact Europe's green transition and consumer interests, definitely triggering countermeasures from the Chinese side, and an escalation in trade frictions will lead only to lose-lose results for both sides. 

China-UK maritime ties revealed in recent discovery

In a remarkable historical discovery coinciding with the 130th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, a new grave of the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet has been unearthed at St. John's Cemetery in Newcastle, the UK.

The tombstone was uncovered by PhD candidates Yu Jiarui at Durham University and Qi Yongqiang, president of the Northern Britain Chinese Entrepreneurs Association. It marks the sixth documented grave of Beiyang Fleet personnel at the cemetery. The grave, belonging to a civilian member of the fleet surnamed Gan, who passed away on August 7, 1887 during Emperor Guangxu's reign (1871-1908), sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Chinese naval history in Europe.

A hidden piece of history

Before this discovery, five graves of Beiyang sailors were discovered in St. John's Cemetery. These sailors were part of a mission to the UK to receive warships ordered by the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), including vessels like the Chaoyong, Yangwei, Zhiyuan, and Jingyuan. Tragically, five sailors died of illness during their stay in the UK in 1881 and 1887, and were buried at the cemetery.

Gan's grave, however, had remained undiscovered for over a century. His tombstone reveals that he, like the others, traveled to the UK to assist with the fleet's mission but passed away aboard the Jingyuan. Unlike the other five sailors, Gan was a civilian, which adds a new dimension to the historical narrative of the Beiyang Fleet's activities in Europe.

"Historical research can never gather all the materials from the world, so it's crucial to cherish the materials we can access and explore them thoroughly without missing any details," Yu told the Global Times, explaining how he came across burial records in the Tyne and Wear Archives that pointed to the existence of Gan's grave.

After conducting field surveys from May to September 2024, Yu and Qi located the tombstone, which had been partially buried.

"The cemetery is quite large, covering 28 acres and containing over 100,000 graves. However, once we narrowed down the area using the section and plot numbers, finding the sixth Chinese grave became less difficult," Yu explained.

The grave, partially buried with its inscription hidden, was eventually found in September 2024.

Its distinct obelisk shape and different inscription style had caused it to be overlooked.

This suggests that the repairs made when Admiral Cheng Biguang revisited Newcastle in 1911 can be further researched. Additionally, Gan's tombstone lacks some features found on the other graves, leading to speculation about possible repairs made when Admiral Cheng visited Newcastle in 1911.

While Gan's grave has been found, much about his life remains a mystery.

It is known that he was a scholar who held the rank of xiucai, a term used to describe educated youth in ancient China, making him the most senior and educated among the six individuals buried at St John's. However, his personal life and exact role within the fleet remain unclear. Researchers believe further investigation into records in China could provide more insight.

Some scholars have since proposed that Gan might have been a doctor, a civilian role that would have distinguished his interactions with the British from those of military personnel. This discovery has sparked renewed interest in the civilian contributions to the Beiyang Fleet's mission in Europe, highlighting the diverse nature of the fleet's presence abroad.
Deeper connections

The discovery of Gan's grave is part of a broader effort to document the Beiyang Fleet's activities in Europe.

Throughout the 1880s and into the early 20th century, the fleet maintained an extensive presence in the UK and other parts of Europe. Sailors trained at naval academies, purchased ships, and engaged with local communities. Historical records indicate that the sailors developed close ties with the people of Newcastle by attending events and even being featured in local newspapers.

St. John's Cemetery, where the sailors rest, has become a symbolic site for the shared history between China and the UK. In December 2016, the National Cultural Heritage Administration entrusted the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation to conduct restoration work on the sailors' graves, which was completed in December 2018.

In recent years, it has attracted attention from Chinese expatriates, students, and historians who come to pay their respects and learn more about this chapter of Chinese naval history.

The Northern Britain Chinese Entrepreneurs Association is actively involved in the restoration and preservation of these graves. Each year, the local Chinese community holds memorial events at the cemetery during the Qingming Festival in April, honoring the Beiyang sailors and educating visitors about their legacy.

On September 17, the 130th anniversary of the sinking of the Beiyang Fleet cruiser the Zhiyuan, Tang Rui, the Chinese Consul General in Manchester, visited St. John's Cemetery to pay his respects at the sailors' graves. His visit underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices of the Beiyang Fleet and highlighted the deeper cultural and historical connections between China and the UK.

"We got a lot of support from the UK and China, which gave us much guidance in terms of future work," Qi told the Global Times, adding that local British people have also expressed great interest in the graves' significance, "recognizing them as symbols of Newcastle's once-prominent role in international naval history and a testament to the enduring relationship between China and the UK," Qi added.

The discovery of Gan's grave has reinvigorated research into the Beiyang Fleet's time in the UK. Scholars hope it will inspire further exploration into the lives of the sailors who traveled halfway across the world but never returned home, and preserve their legacy for future generations.

Xi calls for accelerating progress in China's space endeavors

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday encouraged personnel in China's space industry to continue to work hard and accelerate progress in space endeavors.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development in the Chang'e-6 lunar mission at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Mid-Autumn Festival shines a light on unity and inheritance

Editor's Note:

Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration that has spanned centuries in China, is synonymous with the ancient practice of moon worship. Falling on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, the festival has been bestowed with the meaning of unity, with legends such as Chang'e and the moon rabbit enriching its heritage. For Chinese people, the festival is of special ethical significance, while the thought of reuniting with family on this occasion has been a sentiment and mind-set for hundreds of years. The symbolic snack known as mooncake, a traditional offering to the lunar deities and a seasonal treat, has now evolved into a cultural brand representing China.

In this special issue, Global Times reporters Chen Xi, Li Hang and Sun Langchen will help you understand how and why Chinese celebrate this day even though many customs are changing with the times. As the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday this year, is being celebrated across the whole world nowadays, the festival has also evolved in different ways.

Looking at the Moon and Longing for One Far Away

Zhang Jiuling (Tang Dynasty)

"Over the sea the moon grows bright;

We gaze on it far, far apart.

Lovers complain of long, long night;

I rise and long for my dear heart.

Candles blown out, fuller is light;

My coat put on, I'm moist with dew.

As I can't hand you moonbeams white,

I go to bed to dream of you."
In ancient times, the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival was marked with grand altars adorned with mooncakes, fruit, and other offerings. Families would gather under the lunar glow, positioning the image of the moon god in the direction of the full moon. As red candles burned brightly, family members would take turns paying homage to the moon as the matriarch of the household sliced into a round, reunion mooncake, a gesture signifying the completeness of family bonds.

Nowadays, people celebrate the festival in more creative ways. Experts told the Global Times that both innovative and traditional forms of celebrations are ways to express one's cultural identity and communicate feelings, and these are better expressed through objects or certain mediums.

In Beijing, Tianjin, and Shandong Province, the Tu'er Ye, or Lord Rabbit, emerged as a new festival symbol after the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The rabbit god represents a secularized imagination of the Jade Rabbit that lives on the moon and is traditionally depicted pounding medicinal herbs.

"We can see that this is a trend with a certain global significance. The Lord Rabbit can serve as a globally shared deity figure during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the West, the rabbit also symbolizes trust , making it a universally shareable symbol," Xiao Fang, head of the Department of Anthropology and Folklore Studies at Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times.

Moon-viewing tours

As this is the time of the year when the moon is at its fullest, "Chinese-style night tours" have become a new choice for people to celebrate the holiday, including spending the night with family and friends in a garden, or even taking a moon-viewing flight to admire the moon from a closer vantage point.

This year, China will celebrate with a three-day holiday running from September 15 to September 17.

Popular among younger travelers, activities such as moon gazing and exploring historical sites have drawn crowds to cities across the country, particularly to boat tours, ancient gardens, and bustling night markets.

According to data from Tongcheng Travel, in the week leading up to September 5, searches related to domestic ancient towns and garden night tours during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday saw a 77 percent week-on-week increase, while searches for night cruises increased by 42 percent.

In Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, a city renowned for its classical gardens, a series of moon-viewing night tours are being introduced, offering travelers a visual feast.

As night falls and lanterns illuminate the streets, the thousand-year-old Tiger Hill Pagoda in Suzhou shines brightly under the lights. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors can enter the lower level of the pagoda, without reservations, to experience the ancient structure up close and appreciate its historical significance.

With the moon-viewing tradition at the heart of these celebrations, an increasing number of travelers are also flocking to take special "moon-viewing flights." Multiple airlines have launched unique routes designed to offer passengers a closer view of the moon from the cabin during flight.

For example, China Southern Airlines' Hunan branch plans to operate over 80 flights during the Mid-Autumn Festival to provide moon-viewing opportunities, taking into account factors such as moonlight and flight routes.

In ancient times, the Mid-Autumn Festival was one of the few occasions when night markets were held, making it an important time for socializing. In the past, as people crafted and lit paper lanterns, scholars dreamed of achieving fame, while the young prayed for love. Today, the tradition continues, with people across China enjoying evenings out with their friends.

Cultural fusion mooncakes

Besides trendy night tours during the festival, the traditional mooncake has also transcended its identity as a simple festival snack to become a vessel for well-wishes.

From the plain, round pastries adorned with simple patterns to the myriad fillings of recent years, and now to the creative mooncakes that artfully incorporate cultural elements, the cultural "flavor" of mooncakes has grown increasingly significant.

This year, creative mooncake products in major universities have been a feast for the eyes. From mooncakes featuring Peking University's iconic campus landscapes to ones from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine that have been infused with traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients, the creativity of these academic institutions has been remarkable. Museums have also joined the trend, launching their own cultural and creative mooncakes. For example, the Chinese Archaeological Museum has incorporated five representative "dragon" motifs from its collection into the design of their mooncakes.

A standout mooncake gift box this year is the "Clasp the Moon in the Heaven Mooncake Gift Set," a collaboration between the Suzhou-style mooncake maker, Daoxiangcun, and the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong.

Zhou Liyuan, a manager with the time-honored brand, told the Global Times that the overall design draws inspiration from cultural elements in Journey to the West, upon which the game is based, and combines traditional pastry-making skills with modern aesthetics. The gift box unfolds like a flip-book when opened and features not only the game's characters but also scenes from the game.

"Currently, the gift box is mainly sold domestically and is a hot-seller with supply not meeting demand. However, some foreign customers in China are purchasing this gift box and sending it to their relatives and friends overseas by mail," Zhou said.

Zheng Changling, a research fellow at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, told the Global Times that the popularity of cultural and creative mooncakes, especially among young people, stems from their transformation of the traditional, somewhat rigid image of mooncakes. However, the real reason for their appeal lies in the way they embed culture within these pastries.

"It can be said that while mooncakes once represented the warmth of family reunion, they now offer a taste of national trends, cultural styles, and even cultural confidence," he said.

A global festival

As more people both in China and abroad celebrate the traditional festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival highlights both new and traditional ways of honoring this beloved holiday, reflecting its continued significance in contemporary life.

In Wuhan, Hubei Province, a Chinese-style mecha show at Happy Valley marks a groundbreaking approach to celebrating the festival. This show features interactive mechanical representations of legendary Chinese figures such as Zhao Yun, a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and early Three Kingdoms (220-280) period, Erlang Shen, a god in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. Visitors can engage with these larger-than-life characters, offering a fresh and captivating way to experience Chinese mythology and cultural heritage.

In addition, the lantern festival in Beijing also promises to be the largest lantern display in the city's history. It will showcase over 200 creative lantern displays, including a remarkable 10-meter-tall phoenix lantern made from colored blow-molded paper and transparent acrylic. The festival will also feature more than 150 specialty shops and various themed activities, including performances and interactive events. This extensive and imaginative presentation of lanterns reflects a deep appreciation for both traditional craftsmanship and modern design.

"Modern urban life is becoming increasingly atomized, and we should use the Mid-Autumn Festival as an opportunity to encourage more interaction among people," said Xiao.

The global significance of shared figures is also reflected in other countries. The light-up ceremony in Singapore's Chinatown has introduced a novel feature: a digital riddle-solving activity. This new addition aims to engage younger generations by combining traditional festival elements with modern technology.

Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information of Singapore, emphasized the importance of blending tradition with innovation, noting that this approach not only preserves cultural heritage but also makes the festival more relevant to the diverse demographics of today.

"Family and national unity, as well as the integrity of the nation, are deeply significant concepts in Chinese thought. No matter where Chinese people go, they carry with them this sense of national togetherness. This national psychological factor is not easily abandoned just because they are abroad," Li Hanqiu, a veteran folk custom expert who first proposed the Mid-Autumn Festival be designated a public holiday, told the Global Times.

He noted that through the moon, emotions are conveyed, and in this way, the feelings of reunion also merge into a sense of national identity. The shared act of gazing at the moon from afar is not only an expression of longing for loved ones but also a longing for one's homeland.

Austria: Double solo exhibition opened in Beijing

The Austrian Cultural Forum at the Embassy of the Republic of Austria and its cultural center in Beijing launched a double solo exhibition of Austrian artists Stefan Pani & Stefan Reiterer, from September 14 to October 6, 2024, in Simulacra, a gallery in Beijing. 

Stefan Pani, who lives and works in Vienna, graduated from the University of the Arts Vienna in 2009. His work is a construction of so-called subversive situations, a cultural mechanism in a dissecting mirror: Without innovation, he attempts to subvert the new perspective of "absolution."

Born in 1988 in Waidhofen an der Thaya, Austria, Stefan Reiterer reflects on the existence of digital images and the conversion process from analog to digital through painting. He uses both computer animation and classical painting.

Exploring the potential of blending genres in TV production

A number of high-quality Chinese TV series have been rolled out by younger directors who have made a name for themselves in recent years with creative production ideas. One such work, Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, a newly released thriller generating buzz on Chinese social media, exemplifies its director's exploration of creative expression.

The 21-episode Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, centers around the journey of Shen Xing, played by actor Guo Qilin, who finds himself in a remote border town while on a quest to locate his missing uncle. Along the way, he encounters Uncle Cai, a mysterious figure portrayed by veteran actor Francis Ng, who introduces unexpected twists and challenges to Shen's journey, creating a thrilling narrative filled with intrigue and moral dilemmas.

The series airing on streaming platform Youku has an 8.2/10 rating on China's major review platform Douban. Many netizens, at home and abroad, have commented that they saw humanity in the show.

What sets Escape from the Trilateral Slopes apart is its capacity to weave together multiple genres. While it features elements of mystery and suspense, the series also explores profound themes related to human nature, morality, and the struggle for survival. Directed by Mu Xincen, a fresh voice among the new generation of Chinese directors, the series' narrative is intricately layered, particularly through the perspective of Shen Xing, who copes with the challenges faced by young people as they navigate the complexities of modern life.

Lao edition of "Up and Out of Poverty" launched in Vientiane

The launching ceremony for the Lao edition of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on poverty relief "Up and Out of Poverty" is held in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Sept. 4, 2024.

More than 150 officials, media representatives, think tank members, and other representatives from China and Laos attended on Wednesday here the launching ceremony and a subsequent seminar on state governance.

China waives import duties for LDCs, aims to broaden trade ties

China on Thursday said that it will eliminate tariffs on imports from all least-developed countries (LDCs) with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, starting from December 1, 2024.

The move underscores China's commitment to continuous opening-up to share development opportunities with the world and support the development of LDCs, experts said. 

In a notice posted on the website of the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, China's cabinet, said that the move aims to expand unilateral opening-up to the LDCs and achieve shared development. 

The plan, initially announced on September 5 at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, was one of the major outcomes of the critical summit, where Chinese and African participants drew up a blueprint for China-Africa cooperation.

Commenting on the plan at a press briefing on Thursday, He Yongqian, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the decision makes China the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a step.

"The measure will play a positive role in allowing the least-developed countries to expand exports to China and share opportunities in China's large market. It will also promote unity and cooperation in the Global South and promote inclusive economic globalization," He said. 

Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that China has always offered preferential tariffs for LDCs, and the latest move marks a significant expansion of the policy. 

China has also held trade expos to connect products from LDCs with Chinese consumers. By doing so, "China is expanding imports from relevant countries," Song told the Global Times on Thursday.

Some US politicians push new wave of anti-China McCarthyism with lies

When the heads of CIA and MI6 appeared together publicly for the first time in their 77-year intelligence-sharing partnership over the weekend, they warned of an "unprecedented array of threats." Surprise, surprise, China is included. Immediately following that, reports indicate that the US House may vote this week on more than two dozen China-related bills aimed at addressing the alleged national and economic security threats posed by Beijing. The "masters of deception" are once again orchestrating and fueling a new wave of anti-China McCarthyism. 

On Saturday local time, CIA Director Bill Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore made an unprecedented joint public appearance at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in London. They stressed that the global order is under threat, and after discussing some regional conflicts, they expressed a continued need to focus their attention on China. On the same day, they also published a jointly authored commentary article, articulating that for both the CIA and MI6, "the rise of China is the principal intelligence and geopolitical challenge of the 21st century."

The CIA and MI6, known for being among the world's largest sources of misinformation and disinformation, clearly will not stop fabricating lies to stir up tensions. The reason is simple: If the world were peaceful and stable, they would be among the first to face job losses. They would lose their grip on a fractured international landscape and miss out on the profits they make from ongoing chaos.

"I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole ... We had entire training courses. It reminds you of the glory of the American experiment." This is a line from a speech by former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in 2019. The intelligence agencies of the US and its allies have long been the hidden hands behind American hegemony, orchestrating wars, coups, and fabricating lies to further their objectives. Now, with China's rise, these agencies have turned their attention to hyping up the "China threat."

How has China's rise become a threat? Even the US cannot provide a credible example to support this claim. The truth is that China is focusing on addressing pressing global challenges, from pursuing green transformation to mediating the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and that in the Middle East, which are being prolonged and exacerbated by Western interventions.

China has consistently stressed that both China and the US can achieve mutual prosperity and peaceful coexistence. However, this idea seems almost inconceivable within the toxic political environment in the US. 

Some American politicians are gearing up to pursue "decoupling" to the fullest extent. Take the US House, for example. It is set to kick start "China week" with fast-track approval of a slew of China-related bills, beginning on Monday, "to be aggressive in confronting the threat that China poses." 

The bills include The End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles Act; a ban to stop China from purchasing US farmland; DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. The series of bills are largely rooted in unfounded accusations and baseless fears. In US politics, truth has become irrelevant, and lies have become the norm. Much of US political focus on China is based on falsehoods. 

What US lawmakers should be focusing on are domestic issues and approaches for advancing economic development. Hyping disinformation, such as the "China threat," won't fix US' own issues or reinforce American hegemony. Promoting a rational and pragmatic China policy is the option that best serves US long-term interests. A mutually beneficial outcome can only be realized through dialogue and cooperation, rather than confrontation and hostility.

Huawei, Apple debut new products on the same day; Chinese smartphone manufacturers chase high-tech, innovation

Huawei launched its new product - a triple-fold smartphone - on Tuesday, just hours after the release of Apple's artificial intelligence (AI)-boosted iPhone 16, which sparked wide discussion about the technologies behind the two tech giants.

Analysts said that Huawei's debut of the new phone, following a string of successful smartphone launches, highlights its ability to weather the US sanctions. In recent years, Huawei has not given up innovation in science and technology. 

This shows the resilience and determination of Chinese high-tech companies to innovate independently in the face of external pressure. Meanwhile, other Chinese smartphone manufacturers are catching up in technologies and innovations, analysts noted.

Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei's consumer business, said on Tuesday during the launch event that it took Huawei about five years to develop the world's first triple-fold smartphone, which is also the largest and thinnest foldable handset in the world.

As of Tuesday afternoon, pre-orders for Huawei's triple-fold smartphone - Huawei Mate XT - had surpassed 4 million units since it became available online Saturday, showing market confidence and expectations for the new tech device, whose base model starts at 19,999 yuan ($2,814).

Both Huawei and Apple smartphones are due to go on sale on September 20.

"Apple's annual release of new products is always a hot moment in the industry, although the iPhone 16 has made no major technological breakthroughs, whereas Huawei released the world's first ever triple-fold mobile phone, achieving a breakthrough in the industry," Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Beijing-based Information Consumption Alliance, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Apple shares on NASDAQ fell more than 1 percent during the launch event - though ended 0.04 percent higher on Monday US time - reflecting market skepticism about its AI-centric products, which analysts said is Apple's new focus - AI-driven software upgrades instead of hardware modifications.

Such efforts are meant to encourage users to purchase Apple's new devices, industry insiders said. 

In the second quarter, Apple was edged out of the top five smartphone vendors in China, as competition from Chinese brands intensified, according to a report released by research firm IDC.

"Apple has occupied a dominant position in the global high-end market, and other domestic brands are also committed to breaking through to the high-end market, but they are still unable to compete with Apple," said Xiang.

Smartphones are anticipated to emerge as a key arena in the new wave of AI competition, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.