German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed concerns that growing Chinese competition is a threat to the local automotive industry, while welcoming Chinese carmakers to Europe’s largest auto show, IAA Mobility 2023, in Munich.
The six-day event officially opened on Tuesday. Scholz said increased competition from China was good for the German auto industry. “Fair competition stimulates business. It is in the interest of consumers,” he said, “as Chinese electric vehicle companies show eased several new fully electric models, out shining some German automotive giants.” Competition should stimulate us on, not scare us.
“The countries that have achieved great prosperity in the course of globalization, the workers there, have no less right and no less claim to the opportunities of modernity than we do,” Scholz said of China.
“In the 1980s, it was said (that) Japanese cars would overrun the market. Twenty years later, it was cars made in South Korea and now supposedly Chinese electric cars,” Scholz, who wore a black eye patch due to an injury from a jogging accident on Saturday, said.
The German chancellor also expressed confidence in his country’s strengths. “There is no question about the international competitiveness of Germany as a car country,” he said, adding that “Germany is still the linchpin of the auto industry and will remain so.”
Jun Jin, an auto industry expert, said the international market provides great opportunities for Chinese EV (电动汽车) makers, given their strength in technology and costs. “But this does not simply mean repeating their China success story; they need to succeed by adopting local practices,” Jun told China Daily.
Chinese companies, he said, still count on exports and have a long way to go before manufacturing vehicles overseas, arranging global supply chains and improving services for local customers.
20. How did Scholz view increased competition from China in auto industry?
A.Scholz thought that Chinese competition is not a threat to the local auto industry. |
B.Scholz was not concerned about the competition from China in auto industry |
C.Scholz thought increased competition was harmful to the German auto industry. |
D.Scholz thought that consumers of auto industry would be interested in the competition. |
21. What can we infer from Scholz’s words in the third paragraph?
A.Developing countries has no right to achieve modernity. |
B.China has the equal right and claim to seek modernity. |
C.The workers in German has more opportunities than others. |
D.The course of globalization will favor developed countries more. |
22. What does the underlined word in the sixth paragraph mean?
A.serious problem | B.noticeable weakness | C.angry consumer | D.key role |
23. What can we conclude from Jun Jin’s words?
A.Chinese EV makers has no advantage in technology in international market. |
B.Chinese EV makers should adopt local practices in international market. |
C.Chinese companies still have a long way to go in manufacturing vehicles. |
D.Chinese companies is good at arranging global supply chains and services. |