Musk in China, Tesla to continue expanding business with Asian giant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 May 2023 17:45

Beijing says Musk and Qin touched on China-US relations, with the latter indicating the two nations should "apply the brakes in a timely manner to avoid dangerous driving."

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Beijing, on May 30, 2023 (Chinese Foreign Ministry)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Elon Musk met with Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing, as the Tesla CEO kicks off his first visit to China in more than three years.

China is the world's largest market for electric vehicles, and Tesla indicated in April that it will construct a second enormous facility in Shanghai.

Qin told Musk that China was "committed to creating a better market-oriented, rule-of-law-based and internationalized business environment" for foreign companies, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on its website.

In response, Musk stressed that "Tesla opposes 'decoupling and breaking chains', and is willing to continue to expand its business in China," as per the Ministry.

Musk's relations with China caught the attention of US President Joe Biden, who indicated in November that the executive's relationships with other governments were "worthy" of inquiry.

Beijing pointed out that Musk and Qin touched on China-US relations, with the latter indicating the two nations should "apply the brakes in a timely manner to avoid dangerous driving."

The battery factory announced in April would be Tesla's second in Shanghai, following the Gigafactory, which opened in 2019.

State-run Chinese news agency Xinhua specified that the new factory, which will have an initial capacity of 10,000 Megapack units per year, is expected to "start production in the second quarter of 2024."

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, affirmed on Tuesday that Beijing welcomed visits by international executives "to better understand China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation."