Opposing China's Decoupling Message
Musk: "Tesla Opposes Decoupling"
Returning Home After Visiting Shanghai Factory
Elon Musk, CEO of the American electric vehicle company Tesla, concluded his three-day visit to China, receiving warm attention and hospitality from the Chinese government, and has returned home. This marks Musk's first visit to China in over three years since early 2020.
According to major foreign media on the 1st, Musk arrived in Beijing on the 30th of last month and met with senior Chinese government officials over two days. On the night of the 31st, he visited Tesla's factory in Shanghai to encourage employees before departing for home on a private flight that morning local time.
During his visit to China, Musk met with three Chinese ministers: Qin Gang, State Councilor and Foreign Minister; Jin Zhuanglong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology; and Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce. He also met Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council and a close aide to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is a member of the Chinese Communist Party's top leadership (the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee).
Given that Tesla's head Musk owns a large-scale production plant in China and is reportedly considering expanding investment, it is analyzed that the Chinese government showed its willingness for openness and foreign investment attraction through special hospitality. In particular, Tesla actively used the fact that over 50% of its total production last year was made at the Shanghai plant as a message against decoupling.
In response, Musk said, "The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins and cannot be separated. Tesla opposes decoupling," reciprocating the hospitality of the Chinese leadership. During this visit, Musk also met with Zeng Yuqun, chairman of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited), the world's largest battery company based in Ningde.
Some foreign media speculated that Tesla would unveil a prototype of the upgraded 'Model 3' sedan during Musk's stay in Shanghai, but no official unveiling event was held as of that day.
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