https://www.scmp.com/rss/519590/feed Climate change is a major global challenge that will have a profound impact on the planet. To mitigate the worsening effects of global warming requires a speedy transition to renewable energy sources to cut greenhouse gas emissions. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Tensions in the Middle East and mounting energy prices have made Beijing less willing to enforce anti-involution or supply consolidation measures on its solar industry, prolonging a price war as solar manufacturers continue to bleed cash, analysts say. “Anti-involution or supply consolidation might not be a top priority for the government,” said Evan Li, head of Asia energy transition research at HSBC. “[The Iran war] will result in much more competitive and low pricing for solar for the time... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354536/middle-east-tensions-complicate-beijings-push-curb-china-solar-overcapacity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354536/middle-east-tensions-complicate-beijings-push-curb-china-solar-overcapacity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng For nearly two years, China has been waging an intense campaign to eliminate severe overcapacity in the solar industry – an issue that has sparked vicious price wars, undermined domestic firms’ bottom lines, and fuelled protectionist policies overseas. Yet, despite Beijing’s repeated efforts, the problem remains far from resolved. The sector is still plagued by excess capacity, leaving firms across the supply chain operating at a loss. The mismatch between rhetoric and outcomes is particularly... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3354551/how-illegal-factories-are-undermining-chinas-solar-overcapacity-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3354551/how-illegal-factories-are-undermining-chinas-solar-overcapacity-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Iris Deng Iris Deng In a significant leap for green-energy tracking, researchers from Peking University and Alibaba Group’s Damo Academy have used AI to map hundreds of thousands of solar and wind installations across China. The initiative resulted in a first-of-its-kind national inventory designed to help coordinate the country’s ambitious green transition. By leveraging a self-developed AI model from Damo, the research team processed a massive 7.56 terabytes of satellite imagery. The algorithm identified 319,972... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354387/ai-gives-china-gods-eye-view-solar-wind-installations-data-centre-demand-booms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354387/ai-gives-china-gods-eye-view-solar-wind-installations-data-centre-demand-booms?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:07 +0000 Daniel Ren,Ann Cao Daniel Ren,Ann Cao Chery Automobile, China’s largest car exporter by deliveries, expects its overseas sales of electric vehicles (EVs) to jump as much as 27 per cent this year, as a global energy crisis spurs demand for battery-powered vehicles. Zhang Guibing, the president of Chery International, said on Wednesday that pure electric and plug-in hybrid models were projected to represent as much as 70 per cent of the carmaker’s total deliveries outside the mainland in 2026. That would equate to roughly 1.05 million... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3354280/chinas-chery-sees-its-foreign-ev-sales-topping-1-million-world-wary-energy-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3354280/chinas-chery-sees-its-foreign-ev-sales-topping-1-million-world-wary-energy-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:11 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s Ganfeng Lithium, a global giant of the lithium industry, says its orders have been booked through the first half of 2027 amid a surge in demand for energy storage systems (ESS) and a frenzy of investment in artificial intelligence data centres (AIDCs). “Our production capacity for the year is fully booked,” said Wang Xiaoshen, president and vice-chairman at the world’s largest metal lithium producer and lithium compounds supplier. Ganfeng also manufactures lithium-ion batteries. “The... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354068/chinas-ganfeng-secures-orders-amid-surge-demand-global-energy-storage-ai-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3354068/chinas-ganfeng-secures-orders-amid-surge-demand-global-energy-storage-ai-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 09:00:11 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The global energy crisis may be pushing the balance towards pure electric vehicles (EVs) amid worries about surging petrol bills, but BNP Paribas is cooling down expectations as a lack of charging infrastructure and high insurance costs remain major stumbling blocks. The forecast could dampen investor enthusiasm for Chinese makers of battery EVs, which had surged in the past two months on the back of rising exports. “The infrastructure readiness is not necessarily there” in many countries, said... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353991/global-growth-evs-faces-hurdles-insurance-charging-gaps-says-bnp-paribas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353991/global-growth-evs-faces-hurdles-insurance-charging-gaps-says-bnp-paribas?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 11:13:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese banks are expected to benefit from a resilient domestic economy and easing China-US ties following US President Donald Trump’s visit, though loan quality remains under pressure from export and property risks, according to industry experts. Mainland lenders’ net interest margins (NIM) remained flat in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting stabilisation after six consecutive years of decline to an average of 1.4 per cent in 2025, according to Ernst & Young (EY). Of 25 listed banks that... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3353879/chinese-banks-see-stabilising-margins-resilient-economy-offsets-property-risks-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3353879/chinese-banks-see-stabilising-margins-resilient-economy-offsets-property-risks-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi ClearVue Technologies, an Australian solar technology company, will set up a joint venture with a Chinese partner in Hong Kong to produce power-generating glass for building facades, a concept seen as timely given rising energy prices amid geopolitical tensions. The Australian Securities Exchange-listed firm aims to take advantage of the manufacturing prowess of mainland China to provide “affordable” glass for commercial buildings via the joint venture with vacuum-glass maker LandVac, said Doug... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3353712/every-window-solar-panel-australia-china-joint-venture-set-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3353712/every-window-solar-panel-australia-china-joint-venture-set-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Peugeot and Jeep, owned by French-Italian automotive group Stellantis, have committed to fresh investments to build electric cars with its partner Dongfeng Motor, as more international marques join the fight against Chinese rivals in the world’s largest car market. Stellantis announced on Friday that four electric vehicles (EVs) under the two storied auto brands would roll off the production lines in 2027 as the European carmaker leverages Chinese technologies to assemble best-class cars for the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353767/peugeot-jeep-take-chinese-rivals-new-models-using-local-ev-technologies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353767/peugeot-jeep-take-chinese-rivals-new-models-using-local-ev-technologies?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 14:20:02 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Surging oil prices are prompting Chinese buyers to shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which dominated April sales rankings by taking nine out of the top 10 spots – a new high in China’s electrification drive. Only one petrol car model was among the bestsellers across all power trains, with Geely’s Binyue in eighth place on sales of 14,923 units, according to data from automotive platform Dongchedi. The rest were BEVs, which produce zero tailpipe emissions. It marked a sharp retreat in... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 07:30:05 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla China has launched a new financing scheme to attract more budget-conscious buyers after its sales in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market fell behind its domestic rivals. The US carmaker said on Wednesday that the down payment for a Shanghai-made Model 3 vehicle – priced at 235,500 yuan (US$34,672) – would be slashed to 55,900 yuan from 79,900 yuan if the buyer chose a five-year car loan offered by Tesla. “Our strong products, combined with attractive incentives for car... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353446/tesla-lures-budget-conscious-chinese-buyers-cheap-loans-ahead-state-visit-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353446/tesla-lures-budget-conscious-chinese-buyers-cheap-loans-ahead-state-visit-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:44:52 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The pace of electrification on western Europe’s roads is likely to fire up sales of Chinese-developed smart cars, where they could command a 20 per cent share of the regional market in 2028 at the expense of local peers, according to a JPMorgan forecast. Chinese carmakers from BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) builder, to Stallentis-backed Leapmotor, were expected to deliver 2.5 million cars to customers in countries like Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom in 2028, a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 11:56:52 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi For German consumer Erik Böhme, a first visit to the Beijing auto show was an eye-opener – the world’s largest car exhibition showcased a vast array of electric vehicle (EV) brands, many already gaining traction in Europe. “I think there will be more Chinese brands coming and being successful in Europe,” said Böhme, a freelance automotive consultant who spent two days at the event, which ran through May 3. Böhme was among 250 foreign media, clients and social media influencers invited by Geely... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352560/beijing-berlin-chinese-evs-turn-heads-brands-eye-european-markets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352560/beijing-berlin-chinese-evs-turn-heads-brands-eye-european-markets?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 03:39:12 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Canadian Solar, one of the industry’s most exposed players to US-China tensions, is expanding the role of its Hong Kong operations as it reshapes its global business to weather a deepening downturn and rising geopolitical pressure, positioning the city as a hub for financing, talent and technology development, according to its board director. The Nasdaq-listed group, founded in 2001 by Chinese entrepreneur Shawn Qu, has been grappling with increasingly stringent compliance requirements from... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3352524/canadian-solar-elevates-hong-kong-role-amid-industry-slump-and-geopolitical-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3352524/canadian-solar-elevates-hong-kong-role-amid-industry-slump-and-geopolitical-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers – including BYD and Geely Automobile – saw their sales stabilise in April, as exports and new technologies continued to help offset weakening demand at home. BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer, sold 321,123 vehicles last month, a drop of more than 15 per cent compared to a year ago, according to its exchange filing on Sunday. However, compared with March, April’s sales figure was nearly 7 per cent higher, while the year-on-year decline was nearly five... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:59:38 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Shares of Xiaomi jumped in Hong Kong on Monday after the Chinese smartphone and electric-vehicle (EV) maker reported robust growth in its EV business, though analysts cautioned that broader headwinds could limit revenue upside. The stock rose as much as 11 per cent in early trade before closing 6.8 per cent higher at HK$30.98. Turnover reached HK$7.3 billion (US$931 million), placing it among the most actively traded counters on the city’s main board. The rally followed data showing Xiaomi’s EV... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352336/full-charge-xiaomi-shares-surge-ev-sales-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352336/full-charge-xiaomi-shares-surge-ev-sales-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 07:15:10 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi At the close of his presentation at this year’s Auto China show, Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor, surprised the audience by asking them to lift LED boxes placed on their seats. “We’ll use this beam of light to kick off Hyundai’s new journey in China,” he said, raising the device stamped with the logo of Ioniq, the new brand the Korean carmaker has just launched in mainland China. After years of lacklustre performance in the country, Hyundai was preparing to regain lost ground by... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao China Resources Power (CRP), one of the largest mainland power producers listed in Hong Kong, has received approval to spin off its renewable energy arm for a separate listing in Shenzhen, marking a key step in a years-long plan to tap capital markets amid strong demand for new energy. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s listing committee approved the proposed A-share offering of China Resources New Energy Holdings on April 28, according to a filing by CRP. The deal, however, still required... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351785/china-resources-power-wins-shenzhen-nod-renewable-energy-units-listing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3351785/china-resources-power-wins-shenzhen-nod-renewable-energy-units-listing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:15:10 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) has taken a leap forward in commercialising sodium-ion batteries, signing a large supply contract with an energy-storage system (ESS) provider amid high demand for power infrastructure after the global oil shock. The world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and ESS battery maker announced on Monday that it would deliver 60 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of sodium-ion batteries to Beijing HyperStrong Technology over three years in a landmark deal for the new battery... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351601/chinas-catl-touts-landmark-order-deepseek-moment-sodium-ion-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351601/chinas-catl-touts-landmark-order-deepseek-moment-sodium-ion-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:16:17 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao China’s solar giant Sungrow Power Supply has filed a fresh application to list in Hong Kong, reviving plans initiated last year, as a wave of mainland companies seeks offshore funding to support overseas expansion. The Shenzhen-listed solar inverter and energy storage system maker submitted its latest application proof to the Hong Kong stock exchange after an earlier filing in October lapsed, according to exchange disclosures late on Friday. Sungrow, one of the world’s largest suppliers of... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351515/chinas-solar-giant-sungrow-revives-hong-kong-ipo-plan-amid-rising-demand-clean-energy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351515/chinas-solar-giant-sungrow-revives-hong-kong-ipo-plan-amid-rising-demand-clean-energy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 03:55:24 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s recycling platform Zhuanzhuan is preparing to expand into Europe and the US by the end of the year, betting that demand for second-hand goods will continue to rise amid economic uncertainty despite geopolitical tensions. Backed by tech giants Tencent Holdings and Xiaomi, the Beijing-based company plans to export its model – which combines advanced quality inspection technology with door-to-door services – to get a slice of overseas markets. A dedicated international website was expected... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351394/turning-cast-offs-cash-chinas-zhuanzhuan-looks-europe-and-us-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351394/turning-cast-offs-cash-chinas-zhuanzhuan-looks-europe-and-us-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:00:32 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models poised to take on petrol car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, which is actively building a sales network abroad, expected overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, according to president Ma Donghui. “It is inevitable that we will compete against BMW, Benz and Audi, which... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:10:02 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Amid geopolitical tensions, China’s Tianqi Lithium has decided to skip Africa and will stick to domestic salt lakes to secure the supply of a battery mineral, according to its president Frank Ha Chun-shing. The move comes as the oil shock stemming from Middle Eastern conflicts is driving up global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs). Lithium, which can be extracted from hard rock and salt flat brines, can be processed into lithium carbonate, a raw... https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3351363/chinas-tianqi-lithium-favour-domestic-salt-lakes-over-africa-amid-resource-nationalism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3351363/chinas-tianqi-lithium-favour-domestic-salt-lakes-over-africa-amid-resource-nationalism?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers at the Beijing auto show are shifting their focus to overseas markets, banking on opportunities from the Middle East crisis to boost profitability amid weak sales at home. “Going global has become a top choice for Chinese EV builders as they struggle to break even,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based data provider CnEVPost. “The Middle East crisis is acting as a strong catalyst to bolster their overseas deliveries.” Nearly all major EV assemblers... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351357/chinese-ev-makers-target-global-expansion-auto-china-amid-energy-shock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351357/chinese-ev-makers-target-global-expansion-auto-china-amid-energy-shock?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:57:59 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu The wind industry smells opportunity in Europe. At an expo in Madrid this week, the convention floor was abuzz as hundreds of European, American, Japanese and Korean exhibitors vied to pitch their products, knowing the continent urgently needs to shore up its energy security amid the US-Israel war on Iran. But there was one glaring absence: not a single company operating a booth was Chinese, with China’s participants only networking from the sidelines. At a time when many in Europe seek a rapid... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351318/its-tightrope-why-europe-faces-china-dilemma-over-its-wind-power-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351318/its-tightrope-why-europe-faces-china-dilemma-over-its-wind-power-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:30:08 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng China has announced that it now has the capacity to build up to 50 nuclear reactors simultaneously, as it doubles down on a push to rapidly expand its nuclear power generation and become a global leader in the sector. The figure came from a report released by the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) on Friday, which highlights the country’s ability to run dozens of nuclear projects concurrently spanning the full project life cycle – from design to construction. “China’s nuclear technology... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350847/chinas-vast-nuclear-power-sector-now-able-build-50-reactors-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350847/chinas-vast-nuclear-power-sector-now-able-build-50-reactors-time?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:12:39 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang As the US-Israel war on Iran raises global concerns about energy security, a new report has found that the clean power sector is rapidly gaining ground and emerging as a solution for nations looking to reduce their reliance on oil and gas imports. The world passed a significant turning point in 2025 as clean power generation rose faster than global demand for electricity, preventing an increase in fossil fuel generation, according to the study by London-based energy think tank Ember released on... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3350759/turning-point-clean-energy-met-100-worlds-new-power-needs-2025-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3350759/turning-point-clean-energy-met-100-worlds-new-power-needs-2025-report?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:01:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren One in every six Asia-Pacific companies would face credit pressure from a prolonged energy shock arising from the Middle East conflict, as they deal with higher costs from rising oil prices and supply disruptions, according to S&P Global Ratings. Companies in the fields of downstream oil and gas, aviation, automotive, engineering and construction, and building materials would bear the brunt of the pain brought on by the war that has already sent crude prices up more than 30 per cent since the... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350357/one-six-asia-pacific-firms-faces-credit-pressure-iran-war-energy-shock-sp-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350357/one-six-asia-pacific-firms-faces-credit-pressure-iran-war-energy-shock-sp-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:00:13 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest producer of lithium metal, has issued a strong profit forecast for the first quarter of this year as soaring demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries lifted earnings. The company, based in China’s central Jiangxi province, said in an exchange filing on Thursday that increasing orders had driven up prices of lithium – a key material for EV and ESS batteries – helping it post an estimated profit of 1.6 billion yuan (US$234... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:24 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Geopolitical tensions are expected to further drive fundraising demand in the mining sector amid a commodities “supercycle”, although concerns over national security could complicate dealmaking, according to industry experts. Johnson Chui, head of global issuer services at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), said 2025 had been an inflection point. Mining and metals companies had become a key driver in the capital market as rising commodity prices, triggered by the energy transition and... https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3350334/geopolitics-further-fuel-hong-kong-mining-fundraising-amid-supercycle-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3350334/geopolitics-further-fuel-hong-kong-mining-fundraising-amid-supercycle-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Shares of Chinese energy storage system (ESS) maker Sigenergy Technology jumped 103 per cent on their Hong Kong trading debut, as concerns surrounding energy security due to the conflict in the Middle East boost demand for renewable-energy solutions. The Shanghai-based company’s shares opened at HK$581, versus its offer price of HK$324.20. It climbed further and closed at HK$659.50. The firm raised HK$4.4 billion (US$560 million) from its initial public offering. On the grey market on Wednesday... https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350260/sigenergy-jumps-83-hong-kong-debut-rising-energy-storage-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3350260/sigenergy-jumps-83-hong-kong-debut-rising-energy-storage-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:23:05 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi While China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers are struggling amid fierce competition, battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) is consolidating its dominance, building its profits while erecting technological barriers to increase its pricing power. Amid the oil crisis, CATL’s market capitalisation hit an all-time high of HK$2.7 trillion (US$345 billion) on Monday, after its shares rewrote records multiple times in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, touching 433.33 yuan and HK$701,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:13 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The chairmen of China’s battery and solar giants have called for more top-down regulations to rein in cutthroat competition, warning that unchecked overcapacity is squeezing profits and threatening the industry’s stability. Despite tailwinds including the Middle East conflict that could increase demand for renewable products, overcapacity remains a major challenge for industry players. Zhang Tianren, chairman of Tianneng Holding Group – ranked second behind Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3349627/chinas-battery-solar-bosses-urge-top-down-rules-overcapacity-clouds-industry-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3349627/chinas-battery-solar-bosses-urge-top-down-rules-overcapacity-clouds-industry-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:15 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hyundai Motor has spearheaded a comeback among foreign marques vying for a slice of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, launching a new brand built around local technologies and partnerships. The South Korean carmaker, which reversed a six-year sales decline in 2025, said it would soon introduce production models under the Ioniq brand tailored for Chinese consumers, as it steps up its push into the world’s largest automotive market. “The newly launched Ioniq brand in China evolves beyond a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:20:54 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Three solid-state battery developers across China and the US are moving towards initial public offerings (IPOs), as geopolitical tensions and elevated oil prices fuel demand for more energy-efficient technologies. Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Group became the latest to join the queue, filing for a Hong Kong listing on April 8. Earlier, Beijing WeLion New Energy began the pre-listing tutoring process ahead of a planned application to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, while US-based Factorial... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349560/solid-state-battery-firms-china-and-us-line-ipos-oil-prices-lift-ev-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349560/solid-state-battery-firms-china-and-us-line-ipos-oil-prices-lift-ev-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:30:17 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s leading battery makers have unveiled plans to add more than 600 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new production capacity for the energy storage system (ESS) market in just the first two months of 2026, underscoring surging global demand for renewable energy infrastructure. The planned facilities – spanning major players from Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) to Gotion High-tech – amount to roughly 10 times the 58GWh of total capacity installed across the US in 2025. According to the GGII... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349550/china-throws-switch-battery-buildout-equal-10-times-us-capacity-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349550/china-throws-switch-battery-buildout-equal-10-times-us-capacity-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:40:44 +0000 Yujie Xue Yujie Xue China’s abundant renewable power and government support could bring a once prohibitively expensive green energy solution into the mainstream – hydrogen. Extensive access to low-cost solar and wind power could let the country produce huge quantities of hydrogen in an environmentally friendly and affordable manner. The government is also stoking demand for the zero-emission fuel, potentially creating incentives for investors to put money into the infrastructure needed for production and... https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/climate-and-energy/article/3348964/green-hydrogen-drive-may-help-china-reach-carbon-neutral-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/climate-and-energy/article/3348964/green-hydrogen-drive-may-help-china-reach-carbon-neutral-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:00:19 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has regained the global pure electric vehicle (EV) crown for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2024, after its deliveries rose 6.5 per cent year on year in the three months ending March. The modest increase was enough for the US carmaker to beat China’s EV king BYD, which posted a 25.5 per cent drop in sales during the first quarter of 2026. Tesla’s deliveries worldwide between January and March hit 358,023 units, it said in a statement on Thursday. Tesla builds only pure electric... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong China’s exports of jet fuel have declined sharply in recent weeks amid the US-Israel war on Iran, leaving countries including Australia and Japan facing a supply crunch and scrambling to find alternative sellers. China is Asia-Pacific’s largest jet fuel and kerosene exporter, but shipments from the country fell nearly 40 per cent month on month in March to 204,000 barrels per day, figures from trade data provider Kpler showed. The cutback is likely to hit hardest in Australia and Japan, which... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348642/australia-and-japan-face-jet-fuel-supply-crunch-china-cuts-exports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348642/australia-and-japan-face-jet-fuel-supply-crunch-china-cuts-exports?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:22:29 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest producer of lithium metal, is envisioning an “explosive growth” in the global energy storage system (ESS) market in 2026, spurred by higher prices of the key battery material and buoyant demand for renewable energy infrastructure. Executives including president Wang Xiaoshen told an investors’ conference on Tuesday that the global decarbonisation drive had created a strong and sustainable trajectory for Ganfeng, which swung from loss to profit last... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348628/ganfeng-lithium-forecasts-strong-battery-demand-amid-china-us-rivalry-renewable-energy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348628/ganfeng-lithium-forecasts-strong-battery-demand-amid-china-us-rivalry-renewable-energy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:21 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The energy shock stemming from the Middle Eastern conflict may help Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers exceed their overseas expansion goals this year, according to analysts. “High oil prices – and even gasoline shortages in some countries – will accelerate the pace of China’s EV exports,” said Yale Zhang, managing director at the consultancy Automotive Foresight in Shanghai. “This oil crisis presents a historic opportunity for China’s EV industry, just as the oil crisis of the 1970s paved the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348561/middle-east-oil-shock-jolts-ev-demand-putting-chinese-exports-fast-lane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348561/middle-east-oil-shock-jolts-ev-demand-putting-chinese-exports-fast-lane?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren EnerVenue – a rechargeable battery start-up co-founded by Full Vision Capital, the family office of Hong Kong tycoon Peter Lee Ka-kit – has raised US$300 million in its latest round of financing and appointed a new CEO to accelerate the large-scale industrial deployment of its cutting-edge energy storage technology. The California-based company – which also counts government-backed Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) as an investor – said it would set up a regional headquarters in the city... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3348514/enervenue-plugs-us300-million-scale-next-gen-batteries-it-eyes-hong-kong-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3348514/enervenue-plugs-us300-million-scale-next-gen-batteries-it-eyes-hong-kong-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:39:41 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The era of price wars in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market is giving way to a new contest: who can deliver better technology at the same price. On a cloudy evening in March, Shenzhen-based BYD put forward its answer with the unveiling of a battery capable of charging from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes – and to 97 per cent in nine minutes. The company said it would apply the technology to models priced as low as 155,000 yuan (US$22,500) while building 20,000 charging stations this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian A steady stream of cars pulled into an ordinary petrol station in Beijing’s Chaoyang District early on Monday afternoon, keeping the pumps far busier than on a normal weekday as drivers rushed to refuel ahead of the year’s biggest price hike at midnight. “I’m taking my lunch break to top up the tank quickly ahead of the price increase, as I fear long queues after work in the evening,” said Frank Jin, an office employee in Beijing. China will raise refined oil prices at midnight, marking the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347610/drivers-china-rush-fill-petrol-tanks-ahead-biggest-price-hike-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347610/drivers-china-rush-fill-petrol-tanks-ahead-biggest-price-hike-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:22:06 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong Chinese stocks have emerged as outperformers in the latest oil shock, reversing their reputation as laggards, as crude takes a back seat to renewable fuels in the world’s second-largest economy. The CSI 300 Index of stocks trading on the mainland’s exchanges has dropped 3.1 per cent since the US and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, outperforming the S&P 500, the Euro Stoxx 50 and Japan’s Nikkei 225, which have all slid at least 4 per cent during the period. This marked a turnaround... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347296/chinese-stocks-shake-laggard-image-amid-oil-shock-green-transition-pays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347296/chinese-stocks-shake-laggard-image-amid-oil-shock-green-transition-pays?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:15:30 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren GLP, a global operator and investor in logistics, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and finance, is deepening its commitment to China’s growth, projecting as much as a 50 per cent rise in logistics rental rates, supported by stronger domestic consumption and wider adoption of alternative energies. Angela Zhao, CEO of GLP China, said the country’s 15th five-year development plan for 2026 to 2030 would further cement the company’s role as a global thematic investor in “new economy”... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347106/singapore-headquartered-glp-eyes-50-rent-surge-china-demand-fuels-logistics-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347106/singapore-headquartered-glp-eyes-50-rent-surge-china-demand-fuels-logistics-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:20 +0000 Nicholas Spiro Nicholas Spiro As the war in Iran rages and the consequences of the shock to commodity markets become clearer, the vulnerability of Asia’s economies tops the list of concerns in the research reports of investment banks. The region’s reliance on energy imports from the Gulf has come under scrutiny. The facts speak for themselves. Three-quarters of the oil supplies that passed through the Strait of Hormuz before Iran effectively closed the waterway were destined for China, India, Japan and South Korea. While... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3347108/china-weathering-iran-war-oil-shock-better-others-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3347108/china-weathering-iran-war-oil-shock-better-others-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:30:08 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao The US-Israel war with Iran is rapidly reshaping global investment strategies, with fund managers slashing risk exposure and hoarding cash at the fastest pace since the Covid-19 pandemic, as rising geopolitical tensions and inflation fears replace artificial intelligence trade as the market’s top concerns, according to Bank of America (BofA). Investor sentiment fell to a six-month low in March, while average cash allocations jumped to 4.3 per cent from 3.4 per cent a month earlier – the biggest... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347009/iran-conflict-drives-fund-managers-slash-risk-and-hoard-cash-bofa-survey-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347009/iran-conflict-drives-fund-managers-slash-risk-and-hoard-cash-bofa-survey-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:35:36 +0000 Mandy Zuo,Mia Nurmamat Mandy Zuo,Mia Nurmamat A Shanghai-based start-up claims to have mastered a technique for producing synthetic petroleum at low cost from air and water, as China intensifies efforts to develop alternatives to traditional fossil fuels amid the US-Israel war against Iran. Carbonology announced it had created a process for converting carbon dioxide extracted from air and water into artificial fuel using solar and wind energy, Chinese media outlet Cailianshe reported on Tuesday. The company – co-founded by a former... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346892/unlimited-gas-chinese-firm-claims-it-can-produce-petroleum-air-and-water?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346892/unlimited-gas-chinese-firm-claims-it-can-produce-petroleum-air-and-water?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi Despite its heavy reliance on oil and gas imports, China’s “national strength” insulates its energy security from short-term geopolitical shocks, a prominent petroleum geologist said. Jin Zhijun, dean of the Institute of Energy at Peking University, said that China – as a large country – could ensure its energy security amid a volatile international energy trading landscape, with multiple contingency plans in place. They included tapping more domestic resources by increasing oil and gas... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346173/chinas-size-strength-insulates-its-energy-security-amid-geopolitical-shocks-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346173/chinas-size-strength-insulates-its-energy-security-amid-geopolitical-shocks-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:30:15 +0000