Major Milestone for China's Car Industry

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Major Milestone for China's Car Industry

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Tuesday is the 50th birthday of China's First Automotive Works Group as well as the country's modern car industry. In China's northeastern city of Changchun, people have been marking the milestone by looking to the future.

This is a moment to be remembered in China's auto history, marking half a century of independent motor manufacturing in China.

For the First Automotive Works Group, Tuesday also marks the start of their ambition to become a world class auto giant. Unlike 50 years ago, when China was proud to have made its own truck, the group now incorporates international cooperation as a long-term strategy.

Zhu Yanfeng, president of the works group, said, "As an indispensable part of China's economy, the auto industry should be open to the world. Modern enterprises need to cooperate with other countries if they want to develop. To some extent, international cooperation can promote the independent development of our country's auto industry."

The First Automotive Works Group is the cradle of China's native auto industry. It saw the birth of the first truly Chinese-made sedan and truck. From a few thousand Chinese cars and trucks a couple of decades ago, the group has today evolved into a conglomerate with joint-ventures that have produced several million automobiles. Generations of workers from the factory are helping the Chinese realize the dream of owning their own car.

Automobiles are a source of great pride for these workers, especially for those who witnessed the whole history of the group.

Li Minghai, a retired worker from the group, said, "When I worked here 50 years ago, the factory was surrounded by patches of grassland. Through several decades of our efforts, it's transformed into a big group with international expertise. Now I'm glad to see the group has linked its fate to China's progress into a more affluent society."

The evolution of China's first automobile company reflects the general picture of the country's auto history as a whole. The industry was once a small sector listed in the general machinery manufacturing area. But today the auto sector has become the fifth pillar industry among all the industrial chains. Auto production volume has also surpassed France to make China the world's fourth largest motor manufacturer after the US, Japan and Germany.

To mark the 50th birthday of China's automobile industry, a week-long celebration will be centered around a grand auto fair that opens on Tuesday. More than 1,000 Chinese and international car-makers will display their latest models here in Changchun. It is reported that this auto fair will be the largest that China has ever held. (CCTV News)

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