How are China's "New Three" industries transforming the Global South?

Editor's note: CGTN has recently launched the Ask China campaign to satisfy international audiences' curiosity about China. We invite experts, professionals, editors, reporters and others to provide answers to the insightful questions sent to CGTN by our viewers from around the world. Ben Norton is a US Journalist based in Beijing. Ben is founder and editor of Geopolitical Economy Report. He explains how China's "New Three" industries benefit the Global South. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

China's "New Three" industries, namely electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels and batteries, are playing an increasingly important role in the global transition toward renewable energy. These technologies are critical for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and addressing climate change. By producing solar panels and EVs at relatively low cost, China has made green technologies more accessible to many developing economies, particularly across the Global South.

For many countries in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America, electricity supply remains unstable and power outages are common due to underdeveloped grid infrastructure. Affordable Chinese solar panels offer a practical solution by expanding electricity supply and enabling more decentralized energy systems. In areas where rural communities are not connected to national grids, solar power has become a particularly effective way to provide reliable and affordable energy.

Electric vehicles also offer significant advantages for developing countries. In many places outside major cities, transportation infrastructure remains limited. Compared with traditional internal combustion engine cars, EVs are often cheaper to operate and easier to maintain. Moreover, many Global South countries face chronic shortages of hard currency, especially U.S. dollars, which are needed to pay for oil imports. By adopting EVs and renewable energy, these countries can reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels while lowering costs and emissions.

At the same time, China's growing investment in Latin America, Africa and parts of Southeast Asia is helping these regions move beyond simply importing technology. In some cases, Chinese companies are establishing local manufacturing and joint ventures, enabling countries to build their own industrial capacity. In this sense, many developing economies are following a path similar to China's own experience after the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, using foreign investment and industrial cooperation to accelerate development. (Video courtesy of Western China International Communication Organization)