STORY: How China's lithium-ion battery industry drives clean transformation
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 25-Feb. 5, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:20
LOCATION: TIANJIN, China
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST: 
1. Trailer of "New 'tech-intensive green trio'"
2. STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
3. various of the trip from Beijing to Tianjin
4. shot of Lishen Battery's headquarters in Tianjin
5. STANDUP 2 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
6. various of visiting Lishen Battery
7. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
8. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MENG XIN, R&D department, Lishen Battery
9. various of Lishen Battery's factory
10. various of green energy projects  (File)
11. various of overseas presence of China's electric vehicles, solar batteries and lithium-ion batteries
12. STANDUP 3 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
13. various of manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries
14. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LUO QINGMEI, Head of Department of Strategic Development, Lishen Battery
15. various of manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries (File)
16. photos of a World Bank-backed solar and storage plant (File)
17. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LUO QINGMEI, Head of Department of Strategic Development, Lishen Battery
18. various of China-aided energy projects in Africa (File)

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"In recent years, lithium has become a prized resource. It's a vital component of batteries - for the phone or laptop you're watching this on, and for the electric vehicles that may rule the roads in the future. 
When it comes to processing lithium-ion batteries, China is in a league of its own.
Today, I'm going to visit one of China's most important players in the industry and see how it powers the world of electric devices."

STANDUP 2 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"We are inside a factory manufacturing lithium-ion batteries in Tianjin.
Founded in 1997, Lishen Battery is one of China's top lithium-ion battery R&D firms and manufacturers, with an annual production capacity of 31 GWh."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"Dr. Meng, can you tell me how lithium-ion batteries can power sustainable development?"

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MENG XIN, R&D department, Lishen Battery
"Lithium-ion batteries play a crucial supporting role in both new energy vehicles and power storage. Since the establishment of our company, we have consistently adhered to a path prioritizing technological advancement and green, intelligent production. We have also made significant efforts in terms of reducing carbon emissions, working together with upstream and downstream enterprises to promote the application of green energy."

With overseas demand rising, lithium-ion batteries, along with electric vehicles and solar batteries, have become the new "tech-intensive green trio" underpinning China's exports.

In the first 8 months of 2023, Lishen Battery's export value reached 263 million yuan (about 36.6 million U.S. dollars), 4 times higher compared to the same period in the previous year.

STANDUP 3 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"Lishen Battery, a company that deals with power, owes its growing market influence to a powerful supply chain. The majority of its suppliers are from inside China."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LUO QINGMEI, Head of Department of Strategic Development, Lishen Battery
"In China, the lithium-ion battery industry has achieved a substantial competitive advantage. China has built the world's most complete lithium-ion battery industry supply chain system. China is leading globally in the industry in terms of cost, performance, and response speed. China has been the largest lithium-ion battery market for six consecutive years, which is also a result of the combined efforts of the government and businesses."

Apart from meeting domestic demand, China's robust lithium-ion battery industry has also brought tangible benefits to other parts of the world.

In 2023, a World Bank-backed solar and storage plant was inaugurated in the Central African Republic. The project's core product of energy storage was provided by Lishen Battery, integrating energy storage with solar power supply.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LUO QINGMEI, Head of Department of Strategic Development, Lishen Battery
"Our exports of lithium-ion battery products contribute to accelerating the local transition towards green, low-carbon practices and increasing the usage of clean energy such as wind and solar power. Meanwhile, for consumers, in regions with higher electricity prices, we can assist by providing them with more cost-effective energy solutions. In areas facing electricity shortages, we enhance their quality of life (by helping store electricity). Additionally, our efforts contribute to the development of the energy industry, bringing overall benefits to both the society and consumers."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, China.
(XHTV)