STORY: European green industries look to China for upturn, debunk overcapacity claim
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: May 17, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:08
LOCATION: Brussels, Budapest, Berlin, Oslo
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of launching ceremony of Senj Wind Farm In Croatia
2. various of the landscape of Budapest in Hungary
3. various of the street view in Germany
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): MARTON NAGY, Hungarian Minister for National Economy
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (German): HILDEGARD MUELLER, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CARL FEY, Professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School

STORYLINE:

In the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions, China's investments in green projects in Europe have played a crucial role in advancing the continent's green transition.

In Croatia, the Chinese-built Senj Wind Farm annually produces 530 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green electricity, cutting Croatia's carbon dioxide emissions by about 460,000 tonnes per year.

In Hungary, Chinese battery producer CATL announced the decision to build its second European battery plant in the country in 2022. And Chinese carmaker BYD also decided to invest in a production base for its electric vehicles here.

Meanwhile in Germany, a recent report showed the country's foreign direct investment projects from China in 2023 surged by 42 percent year-on-year.

According to the report, one-fifth of investment projects by Chinese companies went to Germany's renewable energy sector, tripling the number in 2022.

Many European countries have reaped the tangible benefits of green energy collaboration with China.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): MARTON NAGY, Hungarian Minister for National Economy
"Chinese electric car manufacturers and battery manufacturers are emerging, representing a much higher quality than Western car manufacturers. Hungary has given space to this and has also gained trust as Hungary has become a significant center for electric car and battery manufacturing."

Despite these positive strides, some American politicians and media have employed the rhetoric of China's overcapacity in new energy industry.

Observers and experts refuted this fallacy, indicating it hinders the global trend towards green practices and the development of the EV industry worldwide.

SOUNDBITE 2 (German): HILDEGARD MUELLER, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry
"I find this word (overcapacity) questionable.
In China, around 16 percent of the cars produced are exported. The German auto industry has higher export figures. We export three out of four cars produced and therefore experience international competition. Fair competition is always important. What is important is that the markets are mutually open and that everyone has the same access. We accept the competition. This also means that we would welcome Chinese companies coming to Germany and producing here."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CARL FEY, Professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School
"The Chinese government deserves a lot of credit for early recognizing and believing that electric vehicles could actually be a solution.
I think that China has done a lot to help the world move towards a green future. And that is encouraging."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Brussels, Budapest, Berlin, Oslo.
(XHTV)