China delivered their best performance at a Summer Olympics since the 2008 Games on home soil, winning the joint most gold medals with the United States and only missing out on topping the standings on silver medal count.

The 40 golds was an all time high for Games outside China and was achieved despite immense pressure and tightened scrutiny resulting from a doping row involving some of its swimmers.

Chinese athletes strengthened their dominance in diving and table tennis with clean sweeps of all the titles on offer, adding two golds on the badminton court, five on the weightlifting platform and five at the shooting range.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024-usa-edge-last-china-to-top-medal-tally-after-winning-last-gold-of-summer-games-749246">Paris Olympics 2024: USA edge past China to top medal tally after winning last gold of Summer Games</a>

Breakthroughs were made with first gold medals in artistic swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, women's boxing and in singles tennis.

Zheng Qinwen, 21, backed up her status and one of the best young talents in women's tennis by winning the singles gold at Roland Garros after a few hardfought wins, including one against world number one Iga Swiatek.

The run-up to the Games was clouded by reports in the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD in April that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2021 but been allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

China's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of using the case, which doping authorities concluded was caused by contamination, to undermine the Chinese swimmers in Paris.

Pan Zhanle, 20, emerged as China's biggest star in the pool with a scorching swim to break the world record in the blue riband 100 metres freestyle.

Pan, who spoke candidly about being cold shouldered by other swimmers, also led China to end U.S. dominance in the men's 4x100 medley relay.

Zhang Yufei, one of the 11 swimmers named in the ARD report, won six medals for a career tally of 10 to become China's most decorated Olympic swimmer.

"We are innocent," Zhang said. "World Aquatics and other parties have already got to the bottom of everything and clarified online. If some people still don't believe it, we are not going to refute any more in vain, because innocence will prevail."

Away from the pool, China also claimed medals in some of the more recent additions to the Olympic programme, including a gold in women's BMX freestyle, two silvers in sport climbing and a bronze in the women's breaking in a total team tally of 91 medals.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

China delivered their best performance at a Summer Olympics since the 2008 Games on home soil, winning the joint most gold medals with the United States and only missing out on topping the standings on silver medal count.

China delivered their best performance at a Summer Olympics since the 2008 Games on home soil, winning the joint most gold medals with the United States and only missing out on topping the standings on silver medal count. The 40 golds was an all time high for Games outside China and was achieved despite immense pressure and tightened scrutiny resulting from a doping row involving some of its swimmers. Chinese athletes strengthened their dominance in diving and table tennis with clean sweeps of all the titles on offer, adding two golds on the badminton court, five on the weightlifting platform and five at the shooting range. ALSO READ: Paris Olympics 2024: USA edge past China to top medal tally after winning last gold of Summer Games Breakthroughs were made with first gold medals in artistic swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, women's boxing and in singles tennis. Zheng Qinwen, 21, backed up her status and one of the best young talents in women's tennis by winning the singles gold at Roland Garros after a few hardfought wins, including one against world number one Iga Swiatek. The run-up to the Games was clouded by reports in the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD in April that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2021 but been allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. China's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of using the case, which doping authorities concluded was caused by contamination, to undermine the Chinese swimmers in Paris. Pan Zhanle, 20, emerged as China's biggest star in the pool with a scorching swim to break the world record in the blue riband 100 metres freestyle. Pan, who spoke candidly about being cold shouldered by other swimmers, also led China to end U.S. dominance in the men's 4x100 medley relay. Zhang Yufei, one of the 11 swimmers named in the ARD report, won six medals for a career tally of 10 to become China's most decorated Olympic swimmer. "We are innocent," Zhang said. "World Aquatics and other parties have already got to the bottom of everything and clarified online. If some people still don't believe it, we are not going to refute any more in vain, because innocence will prevail." Away from the pool, China also claimed medals in some of the more recent additions to the Olympic programme, including a gold in women's BMX freestyle, two silvers in sport climbing and a bronze in the women's breaking in a total team tally of 91 medals. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paris Olympics 2024: China attain best tally since Beijing Games but USA ahead overall

Chinese Engineers successfully conducted the test run of the country's biggest cargo drone to date that's not all they also tested a helicopter taxi which is soon to open 100 kilometer route to Shanghai. Watch in for more details!

China tests largest domestically produced Cargo drone

On Tuesday, the Qilian Mountains in northwest China's Qinghai Province were illuminated by a spectacular display of light and shadow, revealing a rare natural phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.

China witnesses rare Tyndall effect illumination Qilian Mountains

A light-driven launch system has been created by Chinese scientists for miniature robots, taking inspiration from squirting cucumbers. This robot can be used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, aerospace and even ballistics.

The soft hydrogel and graphene launcher of the team is able to release energy in just 0.3 milliseconds, which helps the device take off from both wet and dry surfaces and cover a distance that is 643 times its own body height, the South China Morning Post reported.&nbsp;

This technology can help develop miniature&nbsp;medicinal&nbsp;robots as smart-seeding&nbsp;agriculture&nbsp; robots. They can also be used for deep-tissue sampling, and carry the potential of getting used like a soft bullet.

“Robotic tasks&nbsp;that require robust propulsion abilities such as jumping, ejecting or catapulting require power-amplification strategies where kinetic energy is generated from pre-stored energy,” stated the researchers in a paper which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Materials.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ai-powered-robot-dentist-operates-on-live-human-for-first-time-heres-how-it-ends-748360">&nbsp;AI-powered robot dentist operates on live human for first time. Here's how it ends</a>

“Such devices typically need the energy release over short time durations,” for producing an adequate driving force, said lead author Wang Xin, &nbsp;who is a doctoral student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Wang said that the existing methods, which depend on chemical or elastic energy, can have limitations like complicated fabrication, long energy release periods and insufficient energy storage.

“Here we report an engineered accumulated strain energy-fracture power-amplification method that is inspired by the pressurised fluidic squirting mechanism of&nbsp;Ecballium elaterium,” said the team in the paper, while speaking about squirting cucumber plants.

<h2>All about G-hydrogel launcher’</h2>

The G-hydrogel launcher’ is small and has the shape of a disk. Its diameter is just 7mm (0.27 inches) and has a thickness of 3mm, however, it can move more than 1.93 (6.33 feet) metres vertically, according to the researchers.

Wang said that the motion performance of the G-hydrogel launcher exceeded “all the current engineering miniature robot systems with jumping/launching motions”.

Watch:&nbsp;Trash-sucking robot dog cleans Italian beaches with AI's help

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trash-sucking-robot-dog-cleans-italian-beaches-with-ais-help-745783/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“The power amplification strategy may be applied to&nbsp;medical robots&nbsp;for scenarios that require force output, such as deep tissue sampling, stent delivery and [deployment], tissue resection [and more],” he added.

The launch system is still being tested by the team and can be used for creating untethered medical robots which need a high-force output to enter deep tissue.

(With inputs from agencies)

A light-driven launch system has been created by Chinese scientists for miniature robots, taking inspiration from squirting cucumbers. This robot can be used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, aerospace and even ballistics.

A light-driven launch system has been created by Chinese scientists for miniature robots, taking inspiration from squirting cucumbers. This robot can be used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, aerospace and even ballistics. The soft hydrogel and graphene launcher of the team is able to release energy in just 0.3 milliseconds, which helps the device take off from both wet and dry surfaces and cover a distance that is 643 times its own body height, the South China Morning Post reported. This technology can help develop miniature medicinal robots as smart-seeding agriculture robots. They can also be used for deep-tissue sampling, and carry the potential of getting used like a soft bullet. “Robotic tasks that require robust propulsion abilities such as jumping, ejecting or catapulting require power-amplification strategies where kinetic energy is generated from pre-stored energy,” stated the researchers in a paper which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Materials. Also Read: AI-powered robot dentist operates on live human for first time. Here's how it ends “Such devices typically need the energy release over short time durations,” for producing an adequate driving force, said lead author Wang Xin, who is a doctoral student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Wang said that the existing methods, which depend on chemical or elastic energy, can have limitations like complicated fabrication, long energy release periods and insufficient energy storage. “Here we report an engineered accumulated strain energy-fracture power-amplification method that is inspired by the pressurised fluidic squirting mechanism of Ecballium elaterium,” said the team in the paper, while speaking about squirting cucumber plants. All about G-hydrogel launcher’ The G-hydrogel launcher’ is small and has the shape of a disk. Its diameter is just 7mm (0.27 inches) and has a thickness of 3mm, however, it can move more than 1.93 (6.33 feet) metres vertically, according to the researchers. Wang said that the motion performance of the G-hydrogel launcher exceeded “all the current engineering miniature robot systems with jumping/launching motions”. Watch: Trash-sucking robot dog cleans Italian beaches with AI's help “The power amplification strategy may be applied to medical robots for scenarios that require force output, such as deep tissue sampling, stent delivery and [deployment], tissue resection [and more],” he added. The launch system is still being tested by the team and can be used for creating untethered medical robots which need a high-force output to enter deep tissue. (With inputs from agencies)

China develops robot which can shoot like a bullet at the sight of light

Taiwan's defense ministry reported sighting 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels. Twenty-two of the planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone in a 24-hour period.

Of the 28 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 22 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)&nbsp;

Taiwan's MND on Friday said that it has monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

Responding to China's military action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-tracks-66-chinese-military-aircraft-near-its-territory-within-a-day-739738" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-tracks-66-chinese-military-aircraft-near-its-territory-within-a-day-739738&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjitr2BvOmHAxVvTGcHHWJsL3cQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0IvOEZIofkQXRySEUdgvqC&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-tracks-66-chinese-military-aircraft-near-its-territory-within-a-day-739738" target="_blank">Taiwan&nbsp;tracks 66 Chinese military aircraft near its territory within a day</a>

Taking to social media handle, X, Taiwan's MND stated, "28 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

This latest incident is part of a growing trend of Chinese military aggression towards Taiwan. Beijing has intensified air and naval operations near the island, including repeated incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

Taiwanese MND said on Friday (Aug 8), that 18 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were operating from 6 am (local time) on Thursday to 6 am (local time) on Friday.

Of the 18 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 12 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwan-fm-joseph-wu-speaks-to-wion-on-india-taiwan-ties-semiconductor-indo-pacific-and-more-710541" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwan-fm-joseph-wu-speaks-to-wion-on-india-taiwan-ties-semiconductor-indo-pacific-and-more-710541&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjitr2BvOmHAxVvTGcHHWJsL3cQFnoECAQQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2xVjVrXLVoar7pDlsMYOXr&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwan-fm-joseph-wu-speaks-to-wion-on-india-taiwan-ties-semiconductor-indo-pacific-and-more-710541" target="_blank">Taiwan&nbsp;FM Joseph Wu speaks to WION on India-Taiwan&nbsp;ties</a>

As per the Taiwan News report, grey zone tactics are "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force."

It may be mentioned here, Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan's defense ministry reported sighting 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels. Twenty-two of the planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone in a 24-hour period.

Taiwan's defense ministry reported sighting 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels. Twenty-two of the planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone in a 24-hour period. Of the 28 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 22 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) Taiwan's MND on Friday said that it has monitored the situation and responded accordingly. Responding to China's military action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity. Also read: Taiwan tracks 66 Chinese military aircraft near its territory within a day Taking to social media handle, X, Taiwan's MND stated, "28 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." This latest incident is part of a growing trend of Chinese military aggression towards Taiwan. Beijing has intensified air and naval operations near the island, including repeated incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. Taiwanese MND said on Friday (Aug 8), that 18 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were operating from 6 am (local time) on Thursday to 6 am (local time) on Friday. Of the 18 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 12 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Also read: Taiwan FM Joseph Wu speaks to WION on India-Taiwan ties As per the Taiwan News report, grey zone tactics are "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." It may be mentioned here, Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (With inputs from agencies)

22 Chinese military aircraft breach Taiwan's air defence zone

The Philippines and China traded accusations on Saturday following an encounter between their aircraft over a contested area of the South China Sea. The Philippine military strongly condemned "dangerous and provocative actions" by China's air force, while the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it acted professionally and legally.

South China sea tensions: Philippines slams 'dangerous' acts by China

China makes clear that the villages are there for security. In 2020, a leader of a Tibetan border county told state media that he was relocating more than 3,000 people to frontier areas that were “weakly controlled, disputed or empty.

China asserting power via settlements along its western borders, says reports

The Philippine military on Saturday accused China's air force of "dangerous and provocative actions" against one of its planes patrolling over a disputed South China Sea reef.

Two China air force aircraft "executed a dangerous manoeuvre at around 9:00am and dropped flares in the path of our NC-212i," armed forces chief General Romeo Brawner said in a statement, recounting the alleged incident Thursday "over" Scarborough Shoal.

He said the Chinese action "endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations," adding that the pilot and crew were unharmed and "safely returned" to a northern Philippines air base.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-dhaka-under-turmoil-manila-secures-crucial-diplomatic-win-over-beijing-and-more-742878">The Capitals: Dhaka in turmoil; Manila secures crucial diplomatic win over Beijing; and more</a>

China defended its operations on Saturday, saying it had "organised naval and air forces to lawfully... (drive) away" the Philippine plane, following "repeated warnings", according to a statement by the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army.

The statement did not say what specific actions China took, describing its operations as "professional, standard, legitimate and legal".

"We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement, provocation, distortion and hype," the statement said, adding that "China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and adjacent waters".

The incident is the latest in an increasingly tense confrontation between Manila and Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea and seized the shoal after a 2012 standoff with the Philippines.

In June, the Philippine military said one of its sailors lost a thumb in a confrontation off Second Thomas Shoal, in another area of the South China Sea, when the Chinese coastguard also confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns.

Beijing has blamed the escalation on Manila and maintains its actions to protect its claims are legal and proportional.

Following the Second Thomas Shoal clash, the two countries agreed on a "provisional arrangement" for resupplying Filipino troops based on a decrepit warship grounded atop the reef, and also to increase the number of communication lines to resolve disputes in the waterway.

The Chinese air force action Thursday took place a day after China carried out a combat patrol near the flashpoint reef to test the "strike capabilities" of its troops.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Also watch |&nbsp;China-Philippines maritime standoff escalates, Beijing blames Manila for grounded ship

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Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, is 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.

Brawner said the Philippine military "strongly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions of the People's Liberation Army Air Force that endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations recently within Philippine maritime zones".

"The incident posed a threat to Philippine Air Force aircraft and its crew, interfered with lawful flight operations in airspace within Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and contravened international law and regulations governing safety of aviation," he added.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The Philippine military on Saturday accused China's air force of "dangerous and provocative actions" against one of its planes patrolling over a disputed South China Sea reef.

The Philippine military on Saturday accused China's air force of "dangerous and provocative actions" against one of its planes patrolling over a disputed South China Sea reef. Two China air force aircraft "executed a dangerous manoeuvre at around 9:00am and dropped flares in the path of our NC-212i," armed forces chief General Romeo Brawner said in a statement, recounting the alleged incident Thursday "over" Scarborough Shoal. He said the Chinese action "endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations," adding that the pilot and crew were unharmed and "safely returned" to a northern Philippines air base. Also read | The Capitals: Dhaka in turmoil; Manila secures crucial diplomatic win over Beijing; and more China defended its operations on Saturday, saying it had "organised naval and air forces to lawfully... (drive) away" the Philippine plane, following "repeated warnings", according to a statement by the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army. The statement did not say what specific actions China took, describing its operations as "professional, standard, legitimate and legal". "We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement, provocation, distortion and hype," the statement said, adding that "China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and adjacent waters". The incident is the latest in an increasingly tense confrontation between Manila and Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea and seized the shoal after a 2012 standoff with the Philippines. In June, the Philippine military said one of its sailors lost a thumb in a confrontation off Second Thomas Shoal, in another area of the South China Sea, when the Chinese coastguard also confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns. Beijing has blamed the escalation on Manila and maintains its actions to protect its claims are legal and proportional. Following the Second Thomas Shoal clash, the two countries agreed on a "provisional arrangement" for resupplying Filipino troops based on a decrepit warship grounded atop the reef, and also to increase the number of communication lines to resolve disputes in the waterway. The Chinese air force action Thursday took place a day after China carried out a combat patrol near the flashpoint reef to test the "strike capabilities" of its troops. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Also watch | China-Philippines maritime standoff escalates, Beijing blames Manila for grounded ship × Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, is 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. Brawner said the Philippine military "strongly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions of the People's Liberation Army Air Force that endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations recently within Philippine maritime zones". "The incident posed a threat to Philippine Air Force aircraft and its crew, interfered with lawful flight operations in airspace within Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and contravened international law and regulations governing safety of aviation," he added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Chinese Air Force harass Filipino troops over disputed reef, says Manila

Authorities in China are pursuing a crime ring for allegedly stealing over 4,000 dead bodies from crematoriums and medical labs so that their bones can be used for dental grafts. Allogeneic grafts are used when patients don’t have enough density for grafts. However, such bones are generally taken from consenting patients undergoing operations such as hip replacement.

According to the president of a Beijing law firm, police in Taiyuan, capital of the northern province of Shanxi, are investigating the case. An official was quoted as saying by Chinese media that the crime ring was “stealing and reselling corpses for profit”. During their investigation, police are believed to have seized over 18 tonnes of bones and more than 34,000 semi-finished and finished products.

The case has put the spotlight back on the state-run funeral industry, which was previously in the news for back-to-back arrests over corruption allegations.

Watch:&nbsp;US Overtakes China as Germany's top trade partner

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As per reports, over 70 people have already been detained in the case.

It is alleged that the workers at the crematoriums were working hand in glove with the crime ring, suspected of selling bones after dismembering.

<h2>Synthetic bone makers’ stocks rally</h2>

As authorities crack down on the human bone syndicate, demand for synthetic bone substitutes has picked up, triggering a rally on Chinese stock exchanges.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjUxOisweqHAxUxRWwGHVuMGIQQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/22-chinese-military-aircraft-breach-taiwans-air-defense-zone-748884" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/22-chinese-military-aircraft-breach-taiwans-air-defense-zone-748884&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjUxOisweqHAxUxRWwGHVuMGIQQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">22 Chinese military aircraft breach Taiwan`s air defence zone</a>

On Friday (Aug 9), Allgens Medical Science and Technology surged by the 20 per cent daily limit to 15.44 yuan in Shanghai. Shandong Weigao Orthopaedic Device’s stocks also rallied 15 per cent before closing at a 1.2 per cent gain.

“Some people are taking advantage of the scandal to buy on the news, a popular trading pattern this year given the weak fundamentals in the economy,” Wang Chen, a partner at Xufunds Investment Management in Shanghai, was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post. “The logic is that demand for substitute products will increase,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Authorities in China are pursuing a crime ring for allegedly stealing over 4,000 dead bodies from crematoriums and medical labs so that their bones can be used for dental grafts.

Authorities in China are pursuing a crime ring for allegedly stealing over 4,000 dead bodies from crematoriums and medical labs so that their bones can be used for dental grafts. Allogeneic grafts are used when patients don’t have enough density for grafts. However, such bones are generally taken from consenting patients undergoing operations such as hip replacement. According to the president of a Beijing law firm, police in Taiyuan, capital of the northern province of Shanxi, are investigating the case. An official was quoted as saying by Chinese media that the crime ring was “stealing and reselling corpses for profit”. During their investigation, police are believed to have seized over 18 tonnes of bones and more than 34,000 semi-finished and finished products. The case has put the spotlight back on the state-run funeral industry, which was previously in the news for back-to-back arrests over corruption allegations. Watch: US Overtakes China as Germany's top trade partner × As per reports, over 70 people have already been detained in the case. It is alleged that the workers at the crematoriums were working hand in glove with the crime ring, suspected of selling bones after dismembering. Synthetic bone makers’ stocks rally As authorities crack down on the human bone syndicate, demand for synthetic bone substitutes has picked up, triggering a rally on Chinese stock exchanges. Also read: 22 Chinese military aircraft breach Taiwan`s air defence zone On Friday (Aug 9), Allgens Medical Science and Technology surged by the 20 per cent daily limit to 15.44 yuan in Shanghai. Shandong Weigao Orthopaedic Device’s stocks also rallied 15 per cent before closing at a 1.2 per cent gain. “Some people are taking advantage of the scandal to buy on the news, a popular trading pattern this year given the weak fundamentals in the economy,” Wang Chen, a partner at Xufunds Investment Management in Shanghai, was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post. “The logic is that demand for substitute products will increase,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

4,000 dead bodies stolen and resold in China, police probing massive crime ring

Saudi Aramco is expanding its investments in China as part of a strategic push to transform more of its crude oil into chemicals. This move is set to include additional investments in chemical plants in China this year and next.

Saudi Aramco targets more chemical plants in China

For the first time since 2014, the united states has overtaken china as Germany's biggest trading partner, signifying a shift in global trade dynamics.

US Overtakes China as Germany's top trade partner

The global trade landscape has become increasingly complex as China has formally complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the European Union's recent decision to impose anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the two economic powerhouses, further straining their already tense relationship.

&nbsp;

According to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce, the complaint was officially filed with the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism on Friday. The primary objective of this action, as stated by the ministry, is to "safeguard the development rights and interests" of China's burgeoning EV industry.

&nbsp;

A spokesperson for the ministry elaborated on China's position, asserting that the EU's provisional conclusion regarding Chinese subsidies "lacks factual and legal foundation." The spokesperson went further, claiming that the EU's actions "severely violated WTO rules and undermined the global cooperation on dealing with climate change." This statement highlights China's view that the EU's measures not only contravene international trade regulations but also potentially hinder global efforts to combat climate change, given the importance of EVs in reducing carbon emissions.

&nbsp;

The Chinese government has called on the EU to "immediately correct its wrongdoing," emphasising the need to preserve China-EU economic and trade cooperation and maintain stability in the global EV supply chain. This appeal underscores the interconnectedness of the global automotive industry and the potential ripple effects of trade disputes in this sector.

&nbsp;

The context of this dispute is crucial to understand. In recent months, the relationship between China and the EU has deteriorated significantly, partly due to the EU aligning its China policy more closely with that of the United States. The immediate catalyst for China's WTO complaint was the EU's decision last month to impose provisional tariffs on certain car imports from China, potentially raising rates to as high as 48 per cent&nbsp;following an investigation into alleged Chinese state aid to EV manufacturers.

&nbsp;

China's response to these tariffs has been swift and multifaceted. In addition to the WTO complaint, Beijing has threatened retaliatory measures against European farmers and aircraft manufacturers. Furthermore, China has initiated an anti-dumping probe targeting the French spirits industry, signalling its willingness to use a range of economic tools in this trade dispute.

&nbsp;

However, experts like Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University specializing in Chinese trade policy, caution that the practical impact of the WTO case may be limited. Gao points out that such cases typically take at least two years to resolve, during which time Chinese EVs may struggle to regain lost market share in Europe, even if China ultimately prevails in the dispute.

&nbsp;

The EU's tariffs have had varying impacts on different Chinese automakers. For instance, state-owned SAIC Motor Corp. faces the highest additional tariff of 37.6 per cent&nbsp;on top of the existing 10 per cent&nbsp;rate. Other major players like Geely (parent company of Volvo Car AB) and BYD Co. have been hit with additional charges of 19.9 per cent&nbsp;and 17.4 per cent, respectively.

&nbsp;

This dispute is part of a broader global trend where the EV sector has become entangled in geopolitical and trade tensions. China's rise as a world leader in EV production, partly due to significant government investment and support, has led to concerns in other countries about market dominance and fair competition.

&nbsp;

The United States has also taken measures to limit the entry of Chinese-made EVs, imposing tariffs exceeding 100 per cent. The US argues that Beijing is flooding the global market with cheap goods, particularly in emerging green industries. Canada is considering similar protectionist measures.

&nbsp;

In response to these global challenges, China has not limited its WTO complaints to the EU. The country has also filed a separate complaint against the United States regarding its EV subsidies, which China views as discriminatory. The Biden administration's restrictions, which disqualify vehicles containing battery components or raw materials sourced from "foreign entities of concern" from purchase tax credits of up to USD&nbsp;7,500, have been a particular point of contention.

&nbsp;

This complex web of trade disputes, WTO complaints, and retaliatory measures underscores the strategic importance of the EV industry in global trade and geopolitics. As the world transitions away from internal combustion engines, the competition for dominance in the EV market is intensifying, with major economic powers using various policy tools to protect and promote their domestic industries. The outcome of these disputes could have far-reaching implications for the future of the global automotive industry, international trade relations, and efforts to combat climate change.

The global trade landscape has become increasingly complex as China has formally complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the European Union's recent decision to impose anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

The global trade landscape has become increasingly complex as China has formally complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the European Union's recent decision to impose anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the two economic powerhouses, further straining their already tense relationship. According to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce, the complaint was officially filed with the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism on Friday. The primary objective of this action, as stated by the ministry, is to "safeguard the development rights and interests" of China's burgeoning EV industry. A spokesperson for the ministry elaborated on China's position, asserting that the EU's provisional conclusion regarding Chinese subsidies "lacks factual and legal foundation." The spokesperson went further, claiming that the EU's actions "severely violated WTO rules and undermined the global cooperation on dealing with climate change." This statement highlights China's view that the EU's measures not only contravene international trade regulations but also potentially hinder global efforts to combat climate change, given the importance of EVs in reducing carbon emissions. The Chinese government has called on the EU to "immediately correct its wrongdoing," emphasising the need to preserve China-EU economic and trade cooperation and maintain stability in the global EV supply chain. This appeal underscores the interconnectedness of the global automotive industry and the potential ripple effects of trade disputes in this sector. The context of this dispute is crucial to understand. In recent months, the relationship between China and the EU has deteriorated significantly, partly due to the EU aligning its China policy more closely with that of the United States. The immediate catalyst for China's WTO complaint was the EU's decision last month to impose provisional tariffs on certain car imports from China, potentially raising rates to as high as 48 per cent following an investigation into alleged Chinese state aid to EV manufacturers. China's response to these tariffs has been swift and multifaceted. In addition to the WTO complaint, Beijing has threatened retaliatory measures against European farmers and aircraft manufacturers. Furthermore, China has initiated an anti-dumping probe targeting the French spirits industry, signalling its willingness to use a range of economic tools in this trade dispute. However, experts like Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University specializing in Chinese trade policy, caution that the practical impact of the WTO case may be limited. Gao points out that such cases typically take at least two years to resolve, during which time Chinese EVs may struggle to regain lost market share in Europe, even if China ultimately prevails in the dispute. The EU's tariffs have had varying impacts on different Chinese automakers. For instance, state-owned SAIC Motor Corp. faces the highest additional tariff of 37.6 per cent on top of the existing 10 per cent rate. Other major players like Geely (parent company of Volvo Car AB) and BYD Co. have been hit with additional charges of 19.9 per cent and 17.4 per cent, respectively. This dispute is part of a broader global trend where the EV sector has become entangled in geopolitical and trade tensions. China's rise as a world leader in EV production, partly due to significant government investment and support, has led to concerns in other countries about market dominance and fair competition. The United States has also taken measures to limit the entry of Chinese-made EVs, imposing tariffs exceeding 100 per cent. The US argues that Beijing is flooding the global market with cheap goods, particularly in emerging green industries. Canada is considering similar protectionist measures. In response to these global challenges, China has not limited its WTO complaints to the EU. The country has also filed a separate complaint against the United States regarding its EV subsidies, which China views as discriminatory. The Biden administration's restrictions, which disqualify vehicles containing battery components or raw materials sourced from "foreign entities of concern" from purchase tax credits of up to USD 7,500, have been a particular point of contention. This complex web of trade disputes, WTO complaints, and retaliatory measures underscores the strategic importance of the EV industry in global trade and geopolitics. As the world transitions away from internal combustion engines, the competition for dominance in the EV market is intensifying, with major economic powers using various policy tools to protect and promote their domestic industries. The outcome of these disputes could have far-reaching implications for the future of the global automotive industry, international trade relations, and efforts to combat climate change.

China takes Europe's EV tariffs to WTO as trade tensions deepen

The Chinese automotive market experienced a downturn in July, with overall sales decreasing by 5 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association. This decline was particularly pronounced in the domestic market, where sales of passenger vehicles dropped by 10 per cent year-on-year, totalling approximately 1.6 million units. However, this downturn was partially offset by a significant increase in exports, which rose by about 20 per cent to reach 399,000 units.

&nbsp;

The total number of passenger cars sold in July, including both domestic sales and exports, amounted to roughly 2 million units. A notable trend within these figures is the growing prominence of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include both electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. These eco-friendly options now account for more than half of all vehicles sold in China.

&nbsp;

In response to the sluggish domestic demand, the Chinese government has implemented measures to stimulate sales. These initiatives include expanding incentives to encourage consumers to trade in their older, conventional fuel vehicles for newer, more environmentally friendly EVs.

&nbsp;

Despite the overall market slowdown, the EV sector demonstrated robust growth. Sales of EVs surged by nearly 30% in July compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 991,000 units.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Of these, 887,000 were sold within China, while 103,000 were exported. This growth in the EV market stands in stark contrast to the performance of traditional combustion engine vehicles, particularly those produced by foreign automakers, which have seen stagnant or declining sales in the face of intense price competition in an oversaturated market.

&nbsp;

Chinese automakers have been steadily increasing their market share, which now stands at two-thirds of all vehicle sales in July. This represents a 10 per cent increase in sales for domestic brands, highlighting their growing dominance in the Chinese automotive landscape.

&nbsp;

The report also provided insights into consumer preferences regarding vehicle pricing. The majority of vehicles sold in China between January and July fell within the price range of 100,000 to 150,000 yuan (approximately USD 14,000 to USD 20,500). For EVs specifically, the most popular price bracket was slightly higher, between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (USD 20,500 to USD 28,000).

&nbsp;

In terms of exports, traditional automakers such as Chery Automobile, SAIC, and Geely continue to lead, with a focus on conventional fuel engine models. However, EV manufacturers like BYD and Tesla are rapidly gaining ground in the export market. In July, BYD exported 31,000 EVs and hybrids, while Tesla's exports totalled 28,000 units. Looking at the first seven months of the year, BYD has exported 2.38 million EVs, outpacing Tesla's 1.76 million units.

&nbsp;

The export data also revealed interesting geographical trends. Russia emerged as the largest importer of Chinese-made vehicles in the first half of the year, receiving 478,000 units, most of which were conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Mexico ranked second with 226,000 imports, followed by Brazil with 171,000 units.

&nbsp;

This comprehensive overview of the Chinese automotive market in July 2024 highlights the complex dynamics at play, including the shift towards EVs, the growing dominance of domestic brands, and the increasing importance of exports in offsetting domestic market challenges. It also underscores the ongoing transition in the global automotive industry towards more sustainable transportation options, with China playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

The Chinese automotive market experienced a downturn in July, with overall sales decreasing by 5 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association.

The Chinese automotive market experienced a downturn in July, with overall sales decreasing by 5 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association. This decline was particularly pronounced in the domestic market, where sales of passenger vehicles dropped by 10 per cent year-on-year, totalling approximately 1.6 million units. However, this downturn was partially offset by a significant increase in exports, which rose by about 20 per cent to reach 399,000 units. The total number of passenger cars sold in July, including both domestic sales and exports, amounted to roughly 2 million units. A notable trend within these figures is the growing prominence of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include both electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. These eco-friendly options now account for more than half of all vehicles sold in China. In response to the sluggish domestic demand, the Chinese government has implemented measures to stimulate sales. These initiatives include expanding incentives to encourage consumers to trade in their older, conventional fuel vehicles for newer, more environmentally friendly EVs. Despite the overall market slowdown, the EV sector demonstrated robust growth. Sales of EVs surged by nearly 30% in July compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 991,000 units. Of these, 887,000 were sold within China, while 103,000 were exported. This growth in the EV market stands in stark contrast to the performance of traditional combustion engine vehicles, particularly those produced by foreign automakers, which have seen stagnant or declining sales in the face of intense price competition in an oversaturated market. Chinese automakers have been steadily increasing their market share, which now stands at two-thirds of all vehicle sales in July. This represents a 10 per cent increase in sales for domestic brands, highlighting their growing dominance in the Chinese automotive landscape. The report also provided insights into consumer preferences regarding vehicle pricing. The majority of vehicles sold in China between January and July fell within the price range of 100,000 to 150,000 yuan (approximately USD 14,000 to USD 20,500). For EVs specifically, the most popular price bracket was slightly higher, between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (USD 20,500 to USD 28,000). In terms of exports, traditional automakers such as Chery Automobile, SAIC, and Geely continue to lead, with a focus on conventional fuel engine models. However, EV manufacturers like BYD and Tesla are rapidly gaining ground in the export market. In July, BYD exported 31,000 EVs and hybrids, while Tesla's exports totalled 28,000 units. Looking at the first seven months of the year, BYD has exported 2.38 million EVs, outpacing Tesla's 1.76 million units. The export data also revealed interesting geographical trends. Russia emerged as the largest importer of Chinese-made vehicles in the first half of the year, receiving 478,000 units, most of which were conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Mexico ranked second with 226,000 imports, followed by Brazil with 171,000 units. This comprehensive overview of the Chinese automotive market in July 2024 highlights the complex dynamics at play, including the shift towards EVs, the growing dominance of domestic brands, and the increasing importance of exports in offsetting domestic market challenges. It also underscores the ongoing transition in the global automotive industry towards more sustainable transportation options, with China playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

China auto sales lower in July, exports surge by 20 per cent

Recent earnings reports from US consumer giants reveal a significant drag from the Chinese market, despite its large population and economic potential.

Weak Chinese demand hits big corporations

#Gravitas Imagine navigating through thick forests, swarmed with mosquitoes, passing rapid river waters, wild animals and criminal gangs that rob, and kill those passing through the forest. This is what hundreds of Chinese nationals are enduring on a day-to-day basis in their quest to reach the U.S. from Central America to flee repression and risking everything for a shot at a better life and freedom.

Gravitas: Why are more Chinese seeking asylum in U.S.?

China's anti-doping agency (CHINADA) on Thursday urged the International Testing Agency (ITA) to intensify testing of U.S. track and field athletes, after American sprinter Erriyon Knighton tested positive for the banned substance trenbolone.

CHINADA accused the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) earlier this week of double standards, saying its U.S. counterpart had been "trying its best" to clear U.S. athletes while accusing CHINADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of cover-ups.

Knighton tested positive for trenbolone this year but was not suspended for the Paris Games after an arbitrator found the result was likely caused by contaminated meat. The USADA chief has been outspoken about 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but were allowed to compete.

CHINADA said on Thursday that trenbolone was a common contaminant in the United States, and athletes everywhere including U.S. athletes should pay close attention to meat contamination. Citing a recent WADA statement, it said that 31% of U.S. athletes were inadequately tested in the 12 months prior to the Tokyo Games.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-american-japanese-figure-skaters-receive-long-awaited-beijing-games-medals-at-paris-olympics-2024-748303">American, Japanese figure skaters receive long-awaited Beijing Games medals at Paris Olympics 2024</a>

"In light of the above, we strongly call on the International Testing Agency (ITA) to intensify testing on the U.S. track and field athletes," CHINADA said in a statement on its WeChat account.

"We also strongly recommend that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) strengthen anti-doping supervision of the U.S. track and field, prevent the doping risks and strictly investigate relevant cases, in an endeavour to truly protect the legitimate rights and interests of the clean athletes around the world, and to rebuild the trust of global athletes in fair play."

China's anti-doping agency (CHINADA) on Thursday urged the International Testing Agency (ITA) to intensify testing of U.S. track and field athletes, after American sprinter Erriyon Knighton tested positive for the banned substance trenbolone.

China's anti-doping agency (CHINADA) on Thursday urged the International Testing Agency (ITA) to intensify testing of U.S. track and field athletes, after American sprinter Erriyon Knighton tested positive for the banned substance trenbolone. CHINADA accused the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) earlier this week of double standards, saying its U.S. counterpart had been "trying its best" to clear U.S. athletes while accusing CHINADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of cover-ups. Knighton tested positive for trenbolone this year but was not suspended for the Paris Games after an arbitrator found the result was likely caused by contaminated meat. The USADA chief has been outspoken about 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but were allowed to compete. CHINADA said on Thursday that trenbolone was a common contaminant in the United States, and athletes everywhere including U.S. athletes should pay close attention to meat contamination. Citing a recent WADA statement, it said that 31% of U.S. athletes were inadequately tested in the 12 months prior to the Tokyo Games. Also read: American, Japanese figure skaters receive long-awaited Beijing Games medals at Paris Olympics 2024 "In light of the above, we strongly call on the International Testing Agency (ITA) to intensify testing on the U.S. track and field athletes," CHINADA said in a statement on its WeChat account. "We also strongly recommend that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) strengthen anti-doping supervision of the U.S. track and field, prevent the doping risks and strictly investigate relevant cases, in an endeavour to truly protect the legitimate rights and interests of the clean athletes around the world, and to rebuild the trust of global athletes in fair play."

Paris Olympics 2024: China urges ITA to intensify testing of US athletes

A rising wave of political and religious persecution in China is compelling its citizens to seek refuge far from home, in Australia and New Zealand. According to recent data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over the last five years, at least 3500 Chinese students have applied for political asylum in Australia. In neighbouring New Zealand, this year, there has been a threefold increase in asylum applications from Chinese citizens. These spikes mirror the growing desperation among Muslim Chinese students to escape repression, restrictions, and persecution.

China: Muslims Flee Repression, Seek Asylum in Australia, New Zealand

A Chinese woman refused to give her consent for her husband's surgery and told doctors to end his husband's life support. The man had left his wife to live with another woman- while being married. The story has sparked a debate on social media in China.

Chinese woman tells doctors to end her husband's life support. Here's why

A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US&nbsp;firm SpaceX's Starlink network.

The launch of the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) took place at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern Shanxi province.

The satellites were carried aboard a Long March 6 rocket and represent the first batch in SSST's "Thousand Sails Constellation" plan, CCTV reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-seven-but-six-continents-are-present-on-earth-claims-a-shocking-study-heres-how-747596">Not seven but six continents are present on Earth, claims a shocking study. Here's how</a>

The state-backed plan is one of China's answers to Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 LEO satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies.

Starlink is a subsidiary of U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX space company.

LEO satellites usually operate at altitudes of 300km to 2,000km from the Earth's surface and have the advantage of being cheaper and providing more efficient transmission than satellites at higher orbits.

Control over the satellites that occupy these altitudes has significant military implications.

Since 2022, when the Ukraine war demonstrated the importance of Starlink to battlefield communications, media affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have published several editorials about the threat Starlink poses to China's interests.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-3-asteroids-hurtling-towards-earth-will-come-closest-on-this-day-747551">NASA warns 3 asteroids hurtling towards Earth will come closest on THIS day</a>

These editorials have described Starlink and SpaceX as part of the "space hegemony" the United States is trying to create in space, giving it a "unilateral space military advantage".

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US firm SpaceX's Starlink network.

A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US firm SpaceX's Starlink network. The launch of the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) took place at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern Shanxi province. The satellites were carried aboard a Long March 6 rocket and represent the first batch in SSST's "Thousand Sails Constellation" plan, CCTV reported. Also read: Not seven but six continents are present on Earth, claims a shocking study. Here's how The state-backed plan is one of China's answers to Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 LEO satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies. Starlink is a subsidiary of U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX space company. LEO satellites usually operate at altitudes of 300km to 2,000km from the Earth's surface and have the advantage of being cheaper and providing more efficient transmission than satellites at higher orbits. Control over the satellites that occupy these altitudes has significant military implications. Since 2022, when the Ukraine war demonstrated the importance of Starlink to battlefield communications, media affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have published several editorials about the threat Starlink poses to China's interests. Also read: NASA warns 3 asteroids hurtling towards Earth will come closest on THIS day These editorials have described Starlink and SpaceX as part of the "space hegemony" the United States is trying to create in space, giving it a "unilateral space military advantage". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

China launches first satellites of constellation to rival Starlink, says state media

Direct flights between China and the united states are outpacing passenger demand. Despite a gradual increase in routes, planes are flying with significantly fewer passengers than before the pandemic. This mismatch between supply and demand is a growing concern for the aviation industry.

US-China flight frequency at 23.6% of pre-covid levels

The once-booming economy of China is now casting a long shadow over global markets. From tech giants to luxury brands, companies worldwide are feeling the pinch. We'll break down how China's slowdown is impacting your wallet and what it means for the global economy.

Global companies struggle amid China's economic slowdown

Chinese diplomat is globe-trotting to stir up support in the Global South for supporting Ukraine peace proposal. Special envoy Li-Hui is on his latest round of shuttle diplomacy

China positions itself as Ukraine's peacemaker

Adam Peaty suggested that certain members of the Chinese 4x100m medley relay team should be "out of the sport" and said "there's no point winning if you're not winning fair". Watch in for more details!

Paris Olympics 2024 | Adam Peaty: 'No point winning if you're not winning fair'

Chinese Diplomat is global trotting to shore up support in the global South for a Ukraine peace proposal and Beijing special envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui is on his latest round of shuttle diplomacy; he was in Brazil and South Africa last week and is now set to make a stop in Indonesia. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: China positions itself as Ukraine peacemaker

A video aired by state broadcaster CCTV weeks before shows a Type 039B submarine sinking a target ship with a Yu-10 torpedo during a PLA exercise. Watch in for more details!

YU-1O Torpedo: Game changer for China's conventional submarines

China's electric vehicle market is expected to see a significant shakeup this year. The national development and reform commission predicts a price war among automakers due to several factors, including a surge in new electric car models and potential oversupply.

The EV trade war between China and the West heats up

China is grappling with extreme weather events this summer. A landslide that hit a village in southwestern China and caused a highway bridge to collapse killed at least eight people and left 19 missing, state media said Sunday.

China’s weather extremes threaten the country with flooding and heat

Audi&nbsp;is preparing to launch a new series of electric vehicles (EVs) specifically developed for the Chinese market.&nbsp;In an unexpected move, these new models will not feature Audi's iconic four-ring logo, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plans.

&nbsp;

This decision stems from "brand image consideration," as a&nbsp;source explained. It also reflects the increased collaboration with Chinese partner SAIC in co-developing the automotive architecture for these vehicles, as well as a greater reliance on local suppliers and technologies. The exact details of how these vehicles will be branded remain unclear, with no information available on whether a different logo will be used or if the cars will simply carry the Audi name without any logo.

&nbsp;

The new EV series, known internally as "Purple," is set to be unveiled in November with a concept car. At this event, Audi plans to explain the "brand story" behind the series. According to a third source briefed on the matter, Audi aims to introduce nine models under this series by 2030.

&nbsp;

When approached for comment, Audi declined to address what it termed as speculation. However, SAIC, Audi's Chinese partner, assured that these EVs would be "true Audi with authentic Audi DNA."

&nbsp;

This move by Audi comes in response to the changing dynamics of the Chinese automotive market, which is the world's largest. Chinese carmakers have been gaining market share with their technologically advanced EVs, leading to declining sales for foreign automakers who have traditionally relied more on gasoline-powered models. This shift has prompted many international car companies to form new partnerships and adapt their strategies.

&nbsp;

In May, Audi and SAIC announced their collaboration to jointly develop an EV platform specifically for the Chinese market. This approach allows foreign automakers like Audi to better understand and cater to Chinese consumer preferences while also familiarizing themselves with the latest EV features. Industry expert Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, suggests that carmakers like Audi and Volkswagen may conduct further research before adapting these models for other markets.

&nbsp;

The need for such a strategy is evident in Audi's recent sales figures. In the first half of 2024, Audi sold fewer than 10,000 EVs in China, while domestic premium EV brands like Nio and Zeekr each sold approximately eight times more units.

&nbsp;

The "Purple" series will incorporate various Chinese technologies and components. It will use batteries from CATL, a leading Chinese battery manufacturer, and an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) from Chinese tech startup Momenta. Additionally, the electrical architecture of SAIC's EV brand IM Motors will be utilized in this series.

&nbsp;

Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, has also been seeking to leverage Chinese EV expertise. Earlier this year, VW reached an agreement with Chinese automaker Xpeng, which will see all locally produced VW-branded EVs use architecture co-developed with the Chinese firm.

&nbsp;

It's important to note that Audi's existing EV models sold in China will continue to sport the familiar four-ring logo. These include the Q4 e-tron (produced with joint venture partner FAW), the Q5 e-tron SUV (made with SAIC), and the upcoming Q6 e-tron (to be manufactured with FAW). The Q6 e-tron, set to launch later this year, will be Audi's first vehicle to use Volkswagen's advanced premium platform electric architecture and will feature an ADAS system supplied by Huawei.

&nbsp;

This strategic move by Audi underscores the complexities and challenges faced by global automakers as they navigate the rapidly evolving and highly competitive Chinese EV market. It represents a significant departure from traditional branding strategies and highlights the importance of local partnerships and technologies in achieving success in this crucial market.

Audi is preparing to launch a new series of electric vehicles (EVs) specifically developed for the Chinese market. In an unexpected move, these new models will not feature Audi's iconic four-ring logo, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plans.

Audi is preparing to launch a new series of electric vehicles (EVs) specifically developed for the Chinese market. In an unexpected move, these new models will not feature Audi's iconic four-ring logo, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plans. This decision stems from "brand image consideration," as a source explained. It also reflects the increased collaboration with Chinese partner SAIC in co-developing the automotive architecture for these vehicles, as well as a greater reliance on local suppliers and technologies. The exact details of how these vehicles will be branded remain unclear, with no information available on whether a different logo will be used or if the cars will simply carry the Audi name without any logo. The new EV series, known internally as "Purple," is set to be unveiled in November with a concept car. At this event, Audi plans to explain the "brand story" behind the series. According to a third source briefed on the matter, Audi aims to introduce nine models under this series by 2030. When approached for comment, Audi declined to address what it termed as speculation. However, SAIC, Audi's Chinese partner, assured that these EVs would be "true Audi with authentic Audi DNA." This move by Audi comes in response to the changing dynamics of the Chinese automotive market, which is the world's largest. Chinese carmakers have been gaining market share with their technologically advanced EVs, leading to declining sales for foreign automakers who have traditionally relied more on gasoline-powered models. This shift has prompted many international car companies to form new partnerships and adapt their strategies. In May, Audi and SAIC announced their collaboration to jointly develop an EV platform specifically for the Chinese market. This approach allows foreign automakers like Audi to better understand and cater to Chinese consumer preferences while also familiarizing themselves with the latest EV features. Industry expert Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, suggests that carmakers like Audi and Volkswagen may conduct further research before adapting these models for other markets. The need for such a strategy is evident in Audi's recent sales figures. In the first half of 2024, Audi sold fewer than 10,000 EVs in China, while domestic premium EV brands like Nio and Zeekr each sold approximately eight times more units. The "Purple" series will incorporate various Chinese technologies and components. It will use batteries from CATL, a leading Chinese battery manufacturer, and an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) from Chinese tech startup Momenta. Additionally, the electrical architecture of SAIC's EV brand IM Motors will be utilized in this series. Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, has also been seeking to leverage Chinese EV expertise. Earlier this year, VW reached an agreement with Chinese automaker Xpeng, which will see all locally produced VW-branded EVs use architecture co-developed with the Chinese firm. It's important to note that Audi's existing EV models sold in China will continue to sport the familiar four-ring logo. These include the Q4 e-tron (produced with joint venture partner FAW), the Q5 e-tron SUV (made with SAIC), and the upcoming Q6 e-tron (to be manufactured with FAW). The Q6 e-tron, set to launch later this year, will be Audi's first vehicle to use Volkswagen's advanced premium platform electric architecture and will feature an ADAS system supplied by Huawei. This strategic move by Audi underscores the complexities and challenges faced by global automakers as they navigate the rapidly evolving and highly competitive Chinese EV market. It represents a significant departure from traditional branding strategies and highlights the importance of local partnerships and technologies in achieving success in this crucial market.

Audi to drop four-ring logo on new series of Chinese EVs

Tesla, the prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer, has reported a significant increase in sales for its China-produced models in July, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Friday. The company saw a 15.3 per cent year-over-year growth, with a total of 74,117 units sold during the month.

&nbsp;

This surge in sales encompasses both the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y SUV, which are manufactured at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. When compared to the previous month of June, deliveries of these China-made vehicles showed a modest but positive uptick of 4.4 per cent.

&nbsp;

In contrast, BYD, a major Chinese competitor in the electric vehicle market, experienced an even more substantial growth in its passenger vehicle sales. The company, which offers both pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids under its Dynasty and Ocean product lines, reported a remarkable 30.5 per cent increase in year-on-year sales. This growth propelled BYD to a new monthly record, with an impressive 340,799 units sold in July.

&nbsp;

These figures highlight the ongoing competition and rapid expansion in the Chinese electric vehicle market, with both domestic and international manufacturers vying for market share. Tesla's continued growth in China underscores the importance of this market for the American automaker, while BYD's record-breaking performance demonstrates the strength of local brands in the world's largest automotive market.

In other news, Tesla's China shipments saw a positive increase, providing a welcome boost for Elon Musk's company after disappointing second-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter. This news came as a silver lining, especially considering investors' disappointment over Tesla's decision to postpone its robo-taxi prototype showcase event by about two months to October.

The upward trend in Tesla's China figures contrasted sharply with the performance of several other automakers in the country, many of whom reported significant month-on-month declines amid weak consumer spending. Despite this, the overall electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid wholesale figures in July were estimated to have increased by 29 per cent compared to July 2023, according to the China Passenger Car Association (PCA).

Among the carmakers that have reported their monthly figures, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holding Ltd., the EV brand of Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., experienced the most substantial decline, with sales dropping 22 per cent from June to 15,655 units. A Zeekr spokesperson explained that equipment checks and repairs along production lines are typically scheduled for the summer months. 

Zeekr's production lines are being adjusted to accommodate several new models, with the company still aiming for a monthly production rate of 30,000 units for one month in the fourth quarter.

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Geely, Zeekr's parent company, reported a 9.2 per cent decrease in July sales, while Great Wall Motor Co. saw a 6.9 per cent decline.

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The PCA reported that China's new-energy passenger vehicle wholesales in July were estimated at 950,000 units, representing a 3 per cent month-on-month decrease. This decline is attributed to slower economic growth and subdued consumer spending. In response, the Chinese government has been implementing measures to stimulate EV sales, including doubling the cash incentive for trading in older vehicles as part of a broader 300 billion yuan (USD 41.4 billion) package aimed at boosting consumption.

&nbsp;

BYD Co. maintained its position as China's best-selling car brand in July, though its passenger vehicle sales only marginally increased by 0.2 per cent to 340,799 units. While plug-in hybrid sales saw a significant increase, reaching 210,799 units due to discounting strategies, pure battery EV sales fell to their lowest level in five months.

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Among China's other three US-listed EV makers - Nio Inc., Xpeng Inc., and Li Auto Inc. - Li Auto stood out with a 6.8 per cent increase in sales to 51,000 units, largely due to the popularity of its extended-range EVs.

&nbsp;

This mixed performance across various automakers highlights the complex and competitive nature of the Chinese EV market, with some companies thriving while others face challenges in maintaining growth amid economic headwinds.

Tesla, the prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer, has reported a significant increase in sales for its China-produced models in July, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Friday.

Tesla, the prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer, has reported a significant increase in sales for its China-produced models in July, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Friday. The company saw a 15.3 per cent year-over-year growth, with a total of 74,117 units sold during the month. This surge in sales encompasses both the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y SUV, which are manufactured at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. When compared to the previous month of June, deliveries of these China-made vehicles showed a modest but positive uptick of 4.4 per cent. In contrast, BYD, a major Chinese competitor in the electric vehicle market, experienced an even more substantial growth in its passenger vehicle sales. The company, which offers both pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids under its Dynasty and Ocean product lines, reported a remarkable 30.5 per cent increase in year-on-year sales. This growth propelled BYD to a new monthly record, with an impressive 340,799 units sold in July. These figures highlight the ongoing competition and rapid expansion in the Chinese electric vehicle market, with both domestic and international manufacturers vying for market share. Tesla's continued growth in China underscores the importance of this market for the American automaker, while BYD's record-breaking performance demonstrates the strength of local brands in the world's largest automotive market. In other news, Tesla's China shipments saw a positive increase, providing a welcome boost for Elon Musk's company after disappointing second-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter. This news came as a silver lining, especially considering investors' disappointment over Tesla's decision to postpone its robo-taxi prototype showcase event by about two months to October. The upward trend in Tesla's China figures contrasted sharply with the performance of several other automakers in the country, many of whom reported significant month-on-month declines amid weak consumer spending. Despite this, the overall electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid wholesale figures in July were estimated to have increased by 29 per cent compared to July 2023, according to the China Passenger Car Association (PCA). Among the carmakers that have reported their monthly figures, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holding Ltd., the EV brand of Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., experienced the most substantial decline, with sales dropping 22 per cent from June to 15,655 units. A Zeekr spokesperson explained that equipment checks and repairs along production lines are typically scheduled for the summer months. Zeekr's production lines are being adjusted to accommodate several new models, with the company still aiming for a monthly production rate of 30,000 units for one month in the fourth quarter. Geely, Zeekr's parent company, reported a 9.2 per cent decrease in July sales, while Great Wall Motor Co. saw a 6.9 per cent decline. The PCA reported that China's new-energy passenger vehicle wholesales in July were estimated at 950,000 units, representing a 3 per cent month-on-month decrease. This decline is attributed to slower economic growth and subdued consumer spending. In response, the Chinese government has been implementing measures to stimulate EV sales, including doubling the cash incentive for trading in older vehicles as part of a broader 300 billion yuan (USD 41.4 billion) package aimed at boosting consumption. BYD Co. maintained its position as China's best-selling car brand in July, though its passenger vehicle sales only marginally increased by 0.2 per cent to 340,799 units. While plug-in hybrid sales saw a significant increase, reaching 210,799 units due to discounting strategies, pure battery EV sales fell to their lowest level in five months. Among China's other three US-listed EV makers - Nio Inc., Xpeng Inc., and Li Auto Inc. - Li Auto stood out with a 6.8 per cent increase in sales to 51,000 units, largely due to the popularity of its extended-range EVs. This mixed performance across various automakers highlights the complex and competitive nature of the Chinese EV market, with some companies thriving while others face challenges in maintaining growth amid economic headwinds.

Tesla's China-made EV sales rise 15.3 per cent y/y in July

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