BEIJING- The representatives of media from different countries paid a visit to 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on Thursday.

The International Automotive Exhibition kicked off in the Shunyi District of Beijing on Thursday (April 25), and will last until May 4.

The exhibition features 117 new cars from well-known domestic and international brands, along with 41 concept cars and 278 new energy models.

China's largest auto show opened with the biggest names showing off their latest electric vehicles (EVs), underlining how the world's largest auto market is already in an all-electric state of mind, and isn't looking back.

The show, which runs through early next month, comes as NEV sales hit a milestone in early April, accounting for over 50 percent of cars sold in China, auto association data showed.

Sales have been getting a boost from a year-long price war that has sapped profit margins, as automakers strive to keep up by announcing newer, cheaper models and promotions.

"At the Beijing auto show, there's no doubt there is no interest in gasoline vehicles anymore. Everyone is looking for the latest technologies in intelligence and electrification," William Li, founder and CEO of Chinese EV maker Nio stated.

China has one of the fastest growing EV markets in the world with an estimated 500 electric car makers having piled into the world's largest vehicle market. As the Chinese government prods home-grown brands, such as Nio, Xpeng and Li Auto, to get a larger slice of the market under the Made in China 2025 industrial master plan.

It is worth mentioning that China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) arranged the visit to 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition for the foreign journalists.

CIPCC, under the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), has initiated a program to build a platform for the media from countries around the world, especially developing countries, to observe China and study development in this country.

The program aimed at media exchange was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

In each edition of the program, journalists from all around the world gather together to get familiar with the modern China and exchange their experiences in the field of journalism.

In 2024 edition of the program, scheduled to be held from late February until late June, over 100 journalists from more than 90 countries are participating.

Photo By Mahnaz Abdi