Members of a delegation of 27 overseas Chinese-language media institutions visit BYD on May 19. Photo by Zhou Yuanchun

Li Hongyi, a delegate from China Journal, used his DJI GoPro camera to document an experiment that tested the safety performance of two batteries: an NCM battery and BYD’s blade battery, with the Blade Battery’s outstanding performance impressing the onsite visitors to BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, at its headquarters in Pingshan District on May 19.

“I was overwhelmed by the technology. BYD is truly a technology and innovation-oriented company,” Li said after watching the experiment.

On May 19, a delegation comprising 30 presidents, editors-in-chief and journalists from 27 overseas Chinese-language media institutions paid a visit to Shenzhen, exploring the BYD headquarters, Dawan Ancestral Residence and Qianhai, as part of their journey in Guangdong Province.

Delegates take photos of BYD’s patented technology Blade Battery passing the Nail Penetration Test. Photo by Chen Siqi

“Through the first-hand reports made by the overseas Chinese-language media during the trip, the overseas Chinese will have the opportunity to stay informed about the development of their motherland,” Huang Xiaodong, a delegate from Sing Tao Daily and leader of the media group, said. “The overseas Chinese-language media shoulder the responsibility to spread the real Shenzhen and China stories to the world.”

“I couldn’t help but shed tears after visiting BYD,” Wu Xinxiong, a delegate from International Daily News, said excitedly. The trip has updated the veteran journalist’s understanding of BYD’s new energy vehicles’ safety performance.

Delegates try BYD Denza D9. Photo by Chen Siqi

The delegation later boarded the SkyShuttle municipal line, a rail transit system independently developed by BYD, and made their way to Dawan Ancestral Residence, a Hakka compound in Pingshan.

The old compound was built in 1763 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). “Shenzhen did a great job conserving and inheriting its traditional culture,” said Ma Limei, a delegate from Journal Puxin.

Li encouraged the media delegates to share more close-to-life stories to effectively communicate China’s narrative through various multimedia channels.