International auto expo opens in northeast China

The 17th China (Changchun) International Automobile Expo opened Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, with a record number of over 1,400 vehicles on display.

The 10-day event is being held both offline and online, with stringent epidemic prevention and control measures in place.

The exhibition is spread over an area of 150,000 square meters at the main venue.

Short videos and livestreaming shows will be launched on video-sharing platforms such as Kuaishou and Douyin, also known as TikTok. Popular internet anchors will join the activities, which focus on new energy vehicles and luxury cars.

Advanced technologies including autonomous driving, 5G, artificial intelligence and virtual reality are highlights of the auto show.

"The auto expo will help spur sales of new car models and reduce excess inventory by displaying new technologies and products, thus stimulating consumption in the entire automobile industrial chain, boosting employment and enhancing economic vitality," said Xu Huaiwu, president of Changchun Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

During the first half of the year, China's auto production and sales stood at 10.11 million units and 10.26 million units, down 16.8 percent and 16.9 percent year on year, respectively.