Once known as the "Kingdom of Bicycles," China is now leading the global electric vehicle (EV) transition. In this episode of China Xplained, we investigate how the country has rapidly emerged as an EV powerhouse.

On August 4, a White Paper was released to mark the third anniversary of the implementation of the Nansha Plan, summarizing the latest achievements in the Nansha District, Guangzhou, one of the four major cooperation platforms in the GBA and an important window for China's opening-up.

On August 3, China's self-developed large electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the V2000CG "CarryAll," completed the world's first offshore oil platform cargo delivery, marking a milestone for low-altitude logistics applications across land and sea.

On August 1, Guangzhou successfully launched its first batch of cosmetics exports under the "market procurement trade + one-port through" model—the first such case nationwide. A shipment worth $35,000 was cleared through customs and inspection in Guangzhou, transported via Huadu Port to Nansha Port, and then onward to Tanzania.

On August 5, the main structure of the Nanxi River Grand Bridge—the largest single-span bridge on the eastern Guangdong intercity railway—was completed.

After days of torrential downpours, Guangdong is expected to see the rains taper off by August 7. Residents should brace for steamy, sauna-like conditions to return.