Race for the Future: Formula E puts eyes on China's tropical city of Sanya

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02:45

Formula E is the world's first electric car racing series organized by the FIA, or the International Automobile Federation. It has just held its latest championship event on Saturday in China's Sanya City, on the tropical Hainan Island. CGTN's He WeiWei has more.

The fast, the furious and the electric. Twenty-two electric-powered cars on 11 teams run on narrow street circuits to compete in the Formula E Championship. It is often compared to its auto racing counterpart, Formula One, but many say they're quite different.

HO-PIN TUNG, RACER PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING TEAM "The concept of the championship here is about efficiency and environmental responsibility. All these aspects offer us a chance to race in unique venues, in city center."

ZHANG YAQI JAGUAR I-PACE ETROPHY RACER "Since the race is in the city's downtown area, it enables more people to watch it very closely. That makes it even more exciting."

In the race in Sanya, the Chinese DS team clinched the win. The Formula E franchise is said to advocate an environment-friendly lifestyle, and more importantly, give a boost to the electric car industry.

PAUL HU MARKETING EVP, JAGUAR LAND ROVER CHINA "We gather big data from the cars during the race and use it as feedback and reference. This technology transfer will help us research and develop the electric road cars, therefore boosting innovation and producing future generation electric vehicles."

ULRICH SPIESSHOFER PRESIDENT & CEO, ABB "The future of mobility is sustainable and electric. It's an affordable technology, it's the sustainable technology, and it's also technology that helps us to run the road."

According to Formula E, its races are hosted "in the world's most progressive cities", including Hong Kong, Paris, and New York. It comes to Sanya for the very first time, which has been dubbed as the "Hawaii of China". Moreover, Hainan Island is home to the country's youngest free trade port, and is looking to become an international hub for technological innovation, tourism, and trade.

"All of my friends know the Formula E race came to Sanya. It made my hometown more famous."

"I hope more international events like this will be held in Sanya and other Hainan cities to boost the development here."

The next race of the Championship will be held in April in the Italian city of Rome. HWW, CGTN, SANYA.