In the Battle of Muye, fought in 1046 BCE, the 45,000 soldiers of the rebel Zhou army defeated the 170,000-strong forces of the Shang. The Zhou dynasty became the longest-lived in Chinese history, ruling over most of northern China. Their decisive weapon was chariots drawn by horses. Today, another novel vehicle is gaining modern China a crucial advantage over an adversary, the US.
Innovations in transport have often led to geopolitical transformations. First the chariot, then the horse archers of the Mongol conquerors, followed by the sailing ship that allowed Europeans to colonise the Americas. The 19th century brought the steam ship and the railway that knit together Germany, Russia and India of the time.
The 20th saw the internal combustion engine that allowed modern mechanised warfare, and the container ship and jet aeroplane that have spurred trade globalisation. The need for coal helped the economic rise of Britain. Oil then helped make the US and Soviet Union superpowers, and brought extraordinary riches to the Gulf.
The rapid rise to supremacy of China’s electric vehicles could become a similar turning point. First, because it enables Beijing to wage a successful economic contest with Washington. Second, because it removes a key Chinese strategic vulnerability while undermining an American strength.
Three crucial data points illustrate this shift. At the Shanghai Auto Show, which opened on Wednesday, more than 1,300 vehicles were on display – 70 per cent of them new-energy vehicles, that is electric (EVs), plug-in hybrid or hydrogen-powered.
CATL, the world’s biggest car battery maker, said at the show it had built a new charger that can power up a vehicle to 515 kilometres’ range in five minutes, beating the earlier and also ground-breaking claim by rival BYD of 400km in five minutes. The company also says that by 2027-2028, it will have dual-battery technology that can give 1,500km range from a single charge. This far exceeds the 400km-600km a typical petrol car can manage on one tank.
In sharp contrast, US market leader Tesla released its first-quarter results on Tuesday. They were dismal, undershooting already low expectations. The company made a loss on its underlying operations, profits were down 71 per cent and its vehicle sales dropped 13 per cent year-on-year. In particular, purchases in Canada and Europe have plummeted as motorists recoil from the political toxicity of chief executive Elon Musk.
EVs will be a crucial motor of Chinese economic growth, even as its overall economy matures and decelerates. Entrepreneurial energies, supported by patient, long-term government policies, have allowed the new Chinese automakers to leverage expertise in batteries and consumer electronics. They have built out supply chains and taken control of key raw materials and their processing, such as Congolese cobalt and Indonesian nickel.
Overcoming an earlier reputation for cheapness and shoddy quality, their cars are now innovative and fun to drive. Ford chief executive and car fanatic Jim Farley liked Xiaomi’s SU7 so much that he had it specially imported and drove it for months.
The US had one chance to counter. That was to work with its allies who have battery-making expertise – Japan and South Korea. But that opportunity has been squandered by protectionism and needless political fights.
American companies may be able to sell electric cars in their tariff-protected market. But with costs for imported inputs driven up, facing retaliatory measures abroad and basking in complacency at home, they will not be successful internationally.
Their lack of critical mass will see them fall ever farther behind in developing new battery and charging technology, and in gathering the data and experience for the ultimate prize, self-driving cars. For all the cleverness of Silicon Valley, this quest will be set back even more by the offensive on immigration and the vendetta against scientific research.
Even excluding China’s exports, domestic sales of almost 23 million vehicles last year give it the edge in volume over the US’s 15.9 million new cars. Chinese brands made up 62 per cent of global EV sales last year. New-energy vehicles captured nearly half of the domestic market, compared to 20 per cent electric and hybrid in the US.
And that addresses a key Chinese strategic weakness: its lack of domestic hydrocarbons. The US’s shale oil looks less like a boom and more like a curse, or at least a gift that was squandered. “Energy independence” followed by “energy dominance” has not delivered victory over Tehran, nor Moscow, nor now Beijing. But along with Mr Musk’s missteps, it did prevent Washington from capitalising on Tesla’s early running.
China has to import most of its oil requirements. That is a similar vulnerability to those of Japan and Germany in the Second World War. Its crude imports in the first quarter ran at 10.85 million barrels per day, to meet demand estimated at 16.8 million bpd. Only 0.93 million bpd came overland from Russia or Kazakhstan.
It has an estimated 914 million barrels in stock. In the extreme case of conflict or naval blockade, China could theoretically run without seaborne imports for only about three months. In reality, rationing and other emergency measures would stretch this period, at the cost of disruption and economic pain.
The US military presence in the Gulf is not, as is so often pretended, about securing oil supplies for the US, which now imports very little oil from the region, or even for its erstwhile allies. It is about having the ability to deny that oil to adversaries.
Now China’s oil demand is expected to reach a peak in the near term, because of EVs, high-speed rail and the growing use of liquefied natural gas in heavy lorries. Road transport demand of 8.5 million bpd, more than half the national total, has not noticeably increased since shortly before the Covid pandemic. The electricity for these cars will be provided by domestic coal, renewables and nuclear, three areas where China leads the world.
Chinese EVs are going to reshape the global car industry, and give it the strength to win an economic and even military confrontation with the US. The shock that the Shang soldiers felt when they saw the Zhou chariots bearing down on them, is what American car makers, motorists and oil executives will feel when they encounter BYD, CATL and Xiaomi.
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Price, base / as tested Dh274,000 (estimate)
Engine 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 245hp @ 4,200rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THURSDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 10am:
Lucrezia Stefanini v Elena Rybakina (6)
Aryna Sabalenka (4) v Polona Hercog
Sofia Kenin (1) v Zhaoxuan Yan
Kristina Mladenovic v Garbine Muguruza (5)
Sorana Cirstea v Karolina Pliskova (3)
Jessica Pegula v Elina Svitolina (2)
Court 1
Starting at 10am:
Sara Sorribes Tormo v Nadia Podoroska
Marketa Vondrousova v Su-Wei Hsieh
Elise Mertens (7) v Alize Cornet
Tamara Zidansek v Jennifer Brady (11)
Heather Watson v Jodie Burrage
Vera Zvonareva v Amandine Hesse
Court 2
Starting at 10am:
Arantxa Rus v Xiyu Wang
Maria Kostyuk v Lucie Hradecka
Karolina Muchova v Danka Kovinic
Cori Gauff v Ulrikke Eikeri
Mona Barthel v Anastasia Gasanova
Court 3
Starting at 10am:
Kateryna Bondarenko v Yafan Wang
Aliaksandra Sasnovich v Anna Bondar
Bianca Turati v Yaroslava Shvedova
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
