At the 3rd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo (Chain Expo), many Chinese new energy vehicle companies showcased the highlights of deep cooperation with Southeast Asian countries in the industrial chain and supply chain. Against the backdrop of significantly increased external uncertainty, China's new energy vehicles have "connected" Southeast Asia, opening up a new path for cooperation and win-win outcomes for all parties. Observers believe that the connectivity and investment convenience of the industrial chain in Southeast Asia continue to improve. Chinese new energy vehicle companies, in the process of shifting from "product output" to "coordinated industry chain going global", meet local market demand through localized production, and promote the development of Southeast Asia's automotive industry through technology transfer and industry cooperation. The extension of the supply chain is timely. In recent years, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has continued to release economic and trade dividends, and the level of regional connectivity has further improved. More and more Chinese enterprises, especially new energy vehicle companies, see the advantages of ASEAN countries in policy support and supply chain, and regard it as a destination for "going global" and "extending the supply chain" of the industrial chain. At this year's Chain Expo, many delegates expressed that Southeast Asian countries are creating a more friendly business environment, upgrading their supply chain construction and management levels, and attracting Chinese and other regional enterprises to settle down. During the Chain Expo, Xie Jinfa, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stated that China has strong innovation capabilities. With the comprehensive completion of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations, China and ASEAN will further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green economy, and supply chain connectivity. Secretary General of the Investment Promotion Council of Thailand, Nali Tashatirasa, introduced that Thailand has a developed 5G network, continuously expanding data centers, and strong logistics capabilities. In addition, the country has a strong supply chain network and a friendly legal and regulatory environment, making it a regional industrial investment center in Southeast Asia. Thai Anmed Group Chairman Qiu Weigong told reporters that there are 650 automobile supply chain supporting factories in Anmed Industrial Park, providing an ideal environment for China's new energy vehicle industry chain to go global. Singapore's Dahua Bank China Executive Director Xin Tao introduced that ASEAN countries have taken measures to optimize the supply chain environment in recent years. For example, Singapore has used blockchain technology to improve supply chain transparency and flexibility, Vietnam has taken measures such as simplifying customs clearance procedures and reducing tariffs to support cross-border e-commerce development, and Malaysia encourages enterprises to apply intelligent manufacturing technology to reduce production costs. In this context, Chinese car companies such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall Motors, GAC, SAIC, and Chery are actively expanding into the Southeast Asian market. Xu Haidong, Deputy Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, recently told reporters that Southeast Asia, with its advantages in policies, markets, supply chains, and geography, attracts Chinese new energy vehicle companies to build factories, purchase, and sell locally. Currently, Southeast Asia has become one of the most concentrated regions for China's overseas investment and an important target market for new energy vehicles. Xu Haidong analyzed that China's new energy vehicles have strong competitiveness and have maintained high export growth in recent years. With the economic development of Southeast Asia, the market potential will be further released, transforming from a trade hub in the global automotive industry chain to a terminal market, providing new opportunities for Chinese enterprises. Malaysia International Islamic University scholar Li Peimin estimates that by 2030, the middle-income group in Southeast Asia will reach 472 million people, providing highly attractive potential markets for businesses. According to a report released by international consulting firm Ernst&Young, the electric vehicle market in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore is expected to experience significant growth. It is expected that by 2035, the total sales of electric vehicles in these markets will increase from $2 billion in 2021 to $80 billion to $100 billion. In order to better implement the supporting industrial chain in Southeast Asia, Chinese new energy vehicle companies are actively changing their strategies, promoting "localized production", quickly responding to differentiated regional market demands, and driving sustained growth in overseas sales. Great Wall Motors' cooperation with KD factory in Malaysia has achieved the assembly and production of the first product, Haval H6. BYD's Thailand factory started production in July last year, covering the entire process of stamping, painting, welding, and final assembly. SAIC GM Wuling, the world's 3 millionth new energy vehicle, rolled off the production line at its factory in Indonesia in May this year. Geely's EX5 electric vehicle has completed trial production at its factory in Indonesia... The industrial chain has taken root and helped China's new energy vehicles better meet the needs of the Southeast Asian market, reduce costs, and thus sell well in the local market. The Indonesian Association of Automobile Manufacturers recently released data showing that wholesale sales of pure electric vehicles in Indonesia increased by 267% year-on-year in the first half of this year, with Chinese car brands accounting for over 90% of sales. Industry insiders point out that the promotion of brand diversification and localized production is the main factor driving sales growth. According to statistics from the Thai Automobile Association, Chinese brands dominate the electric vehicle market in Thailand, with four of the top five electric vehicle sales last year coming from China. Cui Anqi, Managing Director of Great Wall Motors Malaysia, said that as of the first half of this year, the sales of Haval H6 locally assembled and produced by Great Wall Motors have ranked second in the Malaysian hybrid SUV market. Edmund Alaga, President of the Federation of Asian Electric Vehicle Associations and President of the Philippine Electric Vehicle Association, stated that China is leading in the research and development of new energy vehicles, battery innovation, infrastructure, and industrial scale. The demand for environmentally friendly travel among the people of ASEAN countries is growing day by day, and the two markets are mutually compatible and complementary. Currently, Southeast Asia is gradually becoming a frontier with the potential for industrial agglomeration in the "Chain Connect" industry ecosystem. Chinese new energy vehicle companies have achieved full industry chain output, including technological innovation, industrial chain support, talent cultivation, and efficient management. To promote the development of the local automotive industry and jointly build an industrial ecosystem, they have continuously generated positive benefits. Xu Haidong believes that in the era of electrification and intelligence transformation in the automotive industry, China's new energy vehicles have the advantages of scale, systematization, and rapid iteration, becoming a leader in global industrial innovation. The entry of a sound industrial ecosystem into Southeast Asia will help the local automotive industry to apply new technologies such as intelligent cockpit and automatic parking at a higher cost performance ratio, enhancing the modernization level and international competitiveness of the industry. In recent years, more and more Chinese companies have actively "linked" Southeast Asian partners, strengthened technology and production cooperation, and quickly become an important part of the Southeast Asian automotive industry ecosystem. In Thailand, after BYD's factory in Rayong Province was put into operation, advanced flexible production solutions were introduced to the local area, effectively promoting the transformation and upgrading of the local automotive industry chain. On this basis, BYD will continue to launch more pure electric models in Thailand and plan to introduce plug-in hybrid technology to effectively enhance Thailand's automobile manufacturing capabilities. In Malaysia, Geely Group not only invested in the Malaysian national brand Proton and helped it turn losses into profits and achieve brand revival, but also participated in the co construction of the Tanjung Malin Automotive High tech Valley in Malaysia, helping to build the ASEAN automotive industry center. Currently, more and more Chinese new energy vehicles are driving on the streets and alleys of Southeast Asian countries. Chinese new energy vehicle companies' 'Chain Connect' 'Southeast Asia has achieved more stable and far-reaching cooperation with partners in the industrial and supply chains, jointly creating a deep integration and win-win industrial new ecology. (New Society)