On August 11, 2026, XPeng officially unveiled the XPeng G9L and began taking pre-orders across mainland China. The new model is expected to strengthen the company’s position in the competitive Chinese EV market, where domestic automakers are vying for leadership in smart and electric vehicles.

Robotaxi Testing Milestone in Guangzhou

In August, XPeng’s robotaxi business validation advanced significantly. The company secured a permit from Guangzhou authorities to conduct remote testing of intelligent connected vehicles. This allows road trials without an onboard safety operator on designated Level 1, 2, and 3 test roads across the city, marking a key milestone toward fully driverless road testing.

The permit aligns with China’s broader push to commercialize autonomous driving technologies. Guangzhou, a major automotive hub in southern China, has been proactive in supporting such pilot programs, which are part of the country’s strategy to lead in intelligent transportation and new energy vehicles.

Environmental Impact of Deliveries

XPeng also highlighted the environmental benefits of its vehicles. The electric vehicles delivered from January to August 2026 are expected to reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3.72 million tons compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. This reduction is equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 61.6 million young trees over 10 years, underscoring the role of EVs in China’s carbon neutrality goals.

As China accelerates its transition to green mobility, XPeng’s delivery growth and technological advancements reflect broader trends in the country’s automotive industry, where innovation in smart driving and battery electric vehicles is driving competition and policy support.

The campaign featured site visits, business exchanges, and thematic seminars to highlight Hong Kong’s strengths as an international financial and legal hub. A key event, the Collaborate2Win seminar, was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 26 August, focusing on Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative and its common law advantages. The seminar attracted over 160 participants, including government officials and industry leaders from Kazakhstan and China.

Strengthening Hong Kong-Central Asia ties

In his opening remarks, Paul Lam emphasized Hong Kong’s status as a leading common law jurisdiction and its efforts to maintain its position as an international financial centre. He noted that Hong Kong could be an indispensable partner for Kazakhstan, leveraging its unique advantages. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Anna Cheung highlighted the council’s commitment to promoting global trade and investment, and the importance of Kazakhstan as a gateway to Central Asia. She also mentioned the upcoming 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, scheduled for 9-10 September, which will focus on Central Asian markets.

The delegation met with various government authorities and industry organizations during the visit. In Xinjiang, they engaged with local officials, including Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, and Liu Jiansheng, Party Secretary of the Department of Justice. In Kazakhstan, the delegation visited the Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce and exchanged views with Mainland enterprises and law firms operating in the country, gaining insights into the local business environment.

Exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, the delegation met with Chinese Ambassador Yu Jun, Deputy Ministers Umid Abidhadjaev and Ilzat Kasimov, and representatives from the China Enterprise Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre. Discussions focused on strengthening economic and trade ties, as well as cooperation in professional services, cross-border investment, and legal services. The delegation also visited Tashkent State University of Law and the Islamic Civilization Center to learn about legal talent development and cultural preservation.

The Collaborate2Win campaign underscores Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. By promoting its professional services in Central Asia, Hong Kong aims to facilitate closer economic cooperation and open new avenues for investment and trade in the region.

Traditional electronic products maintained steady growth, with TV and integrated circuit exports increasing by 3.1% and 7% respectively. These products continue to sustain global market shares, backed by reliable product quality and cost competitiveness. The steady performance of these staples provides a solid foundation for the industry’s overall export performance.

Shift Toward High-End Innovative Products

The export structure is optimizing, with growth momentum shifting toward high-end innovative products. While the growth of conventional smartphones and tablets has slowed, AI PCs, smart wearables, high-definition display devices, and foldable terminals have become new core export drivers. Cross-border e-commerce platform data shows surging overseas demand for high-refresh-rate gaming displays, large-capacity smart devices, and lightweight AI hardware. These products are creating profitable growth tracks for small and medium-sized electronic exporters, enabling them to tap into niche markets and diversify their product portfolios.

Regulatory Upgrades and Green Supply Chains

Meanwhile, the industry is accelerating upgrades toward standard compliance and high-end manufacturing. New regulations, such as the EU Digital Product Passport, have pushed domestic exporters to upgrade production processes and improve green supply chains. This shift not only ensures compliance with international standards but also enhances the overall quality and sustainability of Chinese consumer electronics. Industry insiders predict a continuous recovery in global consumer electronics demand in the second half of the year, supported by resumed overseas exhibitions and improved cross-border logistics. These factors are expected to further boost China’s high-end consumer electronics in the global mid-to-high-end market, driving both quality and quantity growth for the industry.

The findings also underscore the commercial value of sustainability. Among exhibitors offering ESG-related products or services, 61% reported achieving additional profit margins of at least 10%, while 47% of buyers sourcing ESG-related products were willing to pay a premium of 10% or more. This indicates that sustainability is increasingly seen as a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and growth across the fashion value chain.

ESG Integration Gains Momentum

The proportion of fashion practitioners considering ESG essential rose from 85% in 2025 to 92% in 2026, with those rating it “very important” increasing from 15% to 23%. This trend was particularly strong among Chinese Mainland respondents, with 45% regarding ESG as “very important” in business decision-making, a significant 27 percentage-point increase compared with 2025. This highlights the growing importance of ESG in China’s fashion industry and its alignment with Hong Kong’s role as a gateway for sustainable business.

Alice Tsang, HKTDC Principal Economist (Global Research Team), noted that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important commercial driver for the fashion industry. “Not only are more companies integrating ESG into their business strategies, but many are also seeing tangible financial benefits,” she said. “The strong profit margins reported by ESG-related suppliers, together with buyers’ willingness to pay significant premiums for sustainable products, demonstrate that sustainability helps create business value.”

Hong Kong’s ESG Ecosystem Recognized

Hong Kong’s strengthening position as a sustainable fashion hub was reflected across all three ESG dimensions. The Environmental Sub-index rose to 64.3, the Social Sub-index climbed to 67.0, and the Governance Sub-index advanced to 66.1. These gains indicate that fashion practitioners increasingly value Hong Kong’s strengths in green finance, sustainable investment opportunities, cross-border ESG knowledge exchange, and its effective ESG reporting framework and international connectivity.

The research also highlights that sustainability is becoming an integral part of business strategy, product development, and sourcing decisions. The share of fashion practitioners engaged in sourcing or selling ESG-related products and services rose from 33% in 2025 to 46% in 2026. Sustainable supply chain platforms (54%), AI analytics (31%), and supplier collaboration tools (31%) were identified as the most valuable digital solutions Hong Kong offers for supporting ESG compliance.

Supply Chain Solutions and Future Outlook

Respondents cited tools for better transparency and traceability (44%), ESG certification (40%), and ESG audits and risk analysis solutions (28%) as the top three supply chain solutions that Hong Kong provides for complying with ESG reporting requirements across complex supply chains. Bruce Pang, HKTDC Director of Research, said that fashion businesses increasingly recognize Hong Kong’s unique strengths and solutions, positioning the city as an ideal platform for companies looking to identify sustainable business opportunities and navigate evolving global ESG requirements.

With events like CENTRESTAGE, scheduled for this September, facilitating the exchange and showcase of innovative and sustainable fashion, Hong Kong is well placed to support the industry’s transition towards a more sustainable future. The HKTDC continues to promote sustainable business development through trade fairs, conferences, market intelligence, and business-matching platforms, connecting industry players with new ideas, partners, and opportunities.

Among globally-minded businesses, 82% plan to expand existing overseas operations, 63% focus on developing new overseas activities, 54% aim to enhance overseas sourcing, 47% plan to expand sales networks, and 36% intend to boost technology cooperation. These figures underscore the growing demand for professional services as companies extend along global value chains.

Belt and Road markets gain prominence

The survey reveals that 94% of respondents are interested in developing business in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) markets, a sharp rise from 73% in 2023. ASEAN remains a priority, with 91% planning expansion, particularly in Singapore (49%), Vietnam (46%), Thailand (44%), and Malaysia (41%). Interest in the Middle East jumped from 33% to 46%, while Latin America interest doubled to 34%. Advanced markets in Europe (48%) and North America (47%) also remain key targets.

Bruce Pang, Director of HKTDC Research, noted that Hong Kong’s unique connectivity and expertise make it the first-choice professional services hub for Mainland enterprises. He added that the upcoming Belt and Road Summit will bolster cross-regional cooperation and help businesses find ideal partners.

Challenges and evolving strategies

Mainland enterprises face uncertainties from US trade policy changes, intensified competition (61%), geopolitical tensions (55%), rising domestic costs (51%), and tariff barriers (50%). To mitigate these, companies are improving production efficiency (60%), managing overseas risks (57%), and controlling costs (57%). Wing Chu, Deputy Director of HKTDC Research, highlighted that most firms plan to develop two to three overseas business functions, requiring robust professional support.

Hong Kong’s leading role

Hong Kong is the preferred services platform for 83% of surveyed enterprises, followed by the Chinese Mainland (78%) and Singapore (31%). Services sought include marketing, legal and accounting advisory, financing, risk management, supply chain management, R&D, and ESG support. The city’s international business environment, legal system, and talent pool underpin its position.

The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong’s integration into national development, and the HKSAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force, launched in October 2025, further reinforces its role as a go-global services platform.

Belt and Road Summit 2026

The 11th Belt and Road Summit, jointly organized by the HKSAR Government and HKTDC, will take place on 9-10 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme “Advancing High-Quality Development • Embarking on a New Journey,” it will feature a “GoGlobal Chapter” with breakout sessions on overseas expansion and Hong Kong’s professional services, a “GoGlobal Connect” zone, and a business mission to Nansha, Guangzhou, offering insights into the Greater Bay Area.

The Summit serves as a premier platform for policy dialogue, business networking, and deal-making, helping enterprises capture opportunities in Belt and Road and emerging markets through Hong Kong.

The competition serves as a platform to accelerate the transition of lab-based technologies to real-world construction sites, fostering collaboration among universities, research institutions, global customers, supply chain partners, and technology companies. It features three tracks: Professional Contest, Customer Co-Creation, and Open Challenge.

Professional Contest and Customer Co-Creation Tracks

The Professional Contest track is divided into an Enterprise Group for unlisted companies and a Team Group. It invites AI-driven solutions across three dimensions: AI + Product, covering innovative complete-machine configurations, humanoid intelligent architectures, and new-energy digital-intelligent hardware ecosystems; AI + Worksite Scenarios, focusing on autonomous operations, multi-machine coordination, and energy-replenishment models for mining, earthmoving, and agriculture; and AI + Operations, which includes AI agents for requirements analysis, document generation, and customer interaction.

The Customer Co-Creation track seeks practical solutions to frontline operational challenges in mining, earthmoving, and agriculture, addressing equipment packages, full-lifecycle operation and maintenance, intelligent assistance, and unmanned operations.

Open Challenge and Technical Targets

The Open Challenge track presents three technical challenges with specific performance targets: Autonomous Excavation under Complex Material Conditions, requiring a task success rate of at least 95%; Multi-Sensor Fusion Perception in High-Dust Environments, with recognition accuracy of at least 97%; and Battery State-of-Health assessment under heavy-duty operating conditions, with an SOH estimation error of no more than 3%.

The competition is hosted by the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Industry and Information Technology Department of Jiangsu, the Jiangsu Education Department, the Xuzhou Municipal People’s Government, the China Machinery Industry Federation, and the China Construction Machinery Association. XCMG is among the organizers.

Support and Registration

Participating projects will receive support in commercialization, capital, talent attraction, and sustained incubation, helping them move from the competition arena to the marketplace. Registration is open through September 15, with project submissions due by September 25 (Beijing Time). Interested parties can register via the China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition website or XCMG’s website.

Open-Source AI Leadership

China has become a major source of open-source large models, with cumulative downloads exceeding 10 billion. The release of Kimi K3, an open-source model with 2.8 trillion parameters, marks the largest open-source model globally by parameter scale. These models are not only driving domestic demand but also making advanced technologies accessible worldwide through competitive cost-performance ratios.

China has proposed the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative and launched an action plan on AI cooperation and development, covering eight areas including sharing open-source AI ecosystems and promoting coordinated rules and standards. The country also unveiled Fenghe, an open-source large language model, further solidifying its role in open-source AI innovation.

Safety and Risk Management

China emphasizes that AI must remain under human control. The Global AI Governance Initiative includes proposals on risk assessment, classification, and ethical guidelines. China has released versions 1.0 and 2.0 of its AI safety governance framework, integrating safety requirements throughout model development, deployment, and application. The Global AI Governance Action Plan identifies safety and controllability as core principles.

Inclusiveness and Cultural Exchange

China’s approach to AI governance reflects a tradition of inclusiveness and mutual respect. The “Cultural Interactions Engine” connects world cultural heritage sites, serving users in more than 170 countries. At the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the Qwen large language model became the first official AI model in Olympic history. Chinese and Malaysian companies have established an AI multilingual intelligent dubbing and translation center supporting over 130 languages.

Global Cooperation and Development

The World AI Cooperation Organization was established during the 2026 WAIC, with 38 countries as founding members. It is the first intergovernmental international organization dedicated to AI. China has hosted AI capacity-building workshops and launched the Belt and Road Special Cooperation Program on AI Science, Technology and Innovation. Over the next five years, China will provide 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries and establish international AI application cooperation centers with ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, and other regional organizations.

China’s AI sector is entering a period of unprecedented development, driven by core technology breakthroughs and a thriving innovation ecosystem. The country remains committed to inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, working with global partners to address challenges and create a better future for humanity.

The gathering attracted nearly 200 guests from both countries, representing sectors such as trade, education, culture, automotive manufacturing, and legal services. Attendees included officials, business leaders, and media representatives from Xinhua News Agency, Sin Chew Daily, and Together Media, among others.

Chongqing’s Role in China-Malaysia Economic Ties

Chongqing, a major municipality in southwest China, has positioned itself as a key hub for trade and logistics, particularly through initiatives like the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This corridor connects China’s western regions to ASEAN countries, enhancing trade flows and investment opportunities. The event in Kuala Lumpur underscored Chongqing’s commitment to fostering international partnerships.

Malaysia is one of China’s significant trading partners within ASEAN, and Chongqing has been actively seeking to boost bilateral trade and investment. The promotional event provided a platform for Malaysian businesses to explore opportunities in Chongqing’s manufacturing, technology, and services sectors.

Opportunities in Chongqing’s Opening-Up

Chongqing’s continued opening-up policies have created a favorable environment for foreign investment, with incentives in areas like advanced manufacturing, digital economy, and green energy. The city’s strategic location along the Yangtze River and its robust infrastructure make it an attractive destination for companies looking to access China’s vast domestic market.

During the event, Chongqing officials highlighted the city’s progress in innovation and industrial upgrading, emphasizing its potential as a gateway for ASEAN businesses entering China. The discussions also covered cultural and educational exchanges, reflecting the broader scope of Chongqing-Malaysia relations.

The event concluded with a call for stronger collaboration, with both sides expressing optimism about future partnerships. As Chongqing continues to open up, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in China-Malaysia economic cooperation.

SOURCE: iChongqing

XTransfer Reaches 1 Million Enterprise Clients

Bill Deng, founder and CEO of XTransfer, told attendees that SMEs are stabilisers of globalisation, showing remarkable resilience in the face of de-globalisation and logistics volatility. He noted that SMEs are adjusting market strategies more agilely while improving pricing power and operational quality. Deng emphasized that the company has served over 1 million enterprise clients since its founding, and continues to expand its local collection and settlement capabilities globally. The platform’s Local Account service now covers nearly 60 countries and regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, allowing buyers to pay in local currencies and boosting capital turnover for exporters.

AI and Risk Control Enhance Compliance

To address SMEs’ needs for security, compliance, efficiency, and cost optimisation, XTransfer has increased investment in fintech, scaling AI applications in risk control and business processes. The company has built a unified global B2B cross-border trade settlement and risk management system. According to CIC, TradePilot is the world’s first and most advanced AI model for B2B cross-border trade payments. With 72 AI agents embedded in its review workflow, covering KYC onboarding, transaction authenticity verification, and ongoing AML monitoring, TradePilot delivers industry-leading performance in risk control accuracy and user experience.

The summit underscored the growing importance of digital intelligence in cross-border finance for Chinese SMEs, as they seek to expand globally amid shifting trade dynamics. XTransfer’s focus on AI-driven compliance and local payment solutions reflects broader trends in China’s foreign trade sector, where technology is playing an increasingly central role.

Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s minister of electricity and energy, stated that the country is entering a decisive decade in its energy market transformation. He emphasized that the IRP 2025 investment pipeline would not only add generation and transmission capacity but also support lasting infrastructure, industrial development, and shared prosperity through long-term partnerships.

POWERCHINA’s Role in South Africa’s Energy Transition

Since beginning operations in South Africa in 2008, POWERCHINA has contributed to the country’s power and water infrastructure. Wang Xiaojun, president of POWERCHINA, expressed readiness to work with government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners to move projects from planning to implementation, creating lasting value through local procurement, skills development, and supply chain cooperation.

Under IRP 2025, South Africa plans to add about 105 GW of new generation capacity by 2039, supported by a diversified mix of solar, wind, battery storage, natural gas, and nuclear power. The country also intends to build approximately 14,500 kilometers of transmission infrastructure, requiring an estimated R440 billion in transmission investment over the next decade.

POWERCHINA’s Existing Projects in South Africa

POWERCHINA’s experience in South Africa provides a practical foundation for its participation in the country’s next phase of infrastructure development. The company’s completed and ongoing wind, solar photovoltaic, and concentrated solar power projects in South Africa have a combined capacity of 1.9 GW. Its battery storage projects under construction have a combined capacity of 1.9 GWh.

Among these projects is the 100 MW Redstone concentrated solar power project, South Africa’s largest tower-based molten salt solar thermal facility. The project combines solar generation with thermal energy storage to provide dispatchable renewable power. POWERCHINA is also participating in the Oya hybrid facility project, which integrates wind, solar, and battery storage on a single grid-connected platform to support a more flexible and reliable power system.

Water Infrastructure and Local Development

Beyond energy generation, POWERCHINA is contributing to water infrastructure that supports electricity supply, industrial activity, and local communities. The Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A is a major water infrastructure project under South Africa’s National Water Resource Strategy. Once completed, it is expected to deliver 75 million cubic meters of water annually, securing water supplies for the Medupi and Matimba power stations, supporting development in the Waterberg mining area, and providing water to industrial facilities, municipalities, and communities along the route.

POWERCHINA has also incorporated local procurement, subcontracting, and skills development into its project delivery in South Africa. Its projects have created thousands of local jobs and supported the development of local suppliers. At the Redstone project, the company established a welding training center and worked with a local university to provide technical education linked to concentrated solar power. These initiatives help strengthen local capabilities needed to support South Africa’s growing energy sector over the long term.

The conference is expected to lay the groundwork for a proposed South Africa-China Energy Investment Partnership. POWERCHINA will continue working with South African partners to advance reliable energy and water infrastructure that supports industrial development and sustainable growth.