Chuanneng Power, in a recent investor research session, stated that the mining engineering of the Lijiagou Lithium Mine Project has started trial production. The workshops of the surface extraction engineering and the pipeline transportation system are undergoing trial operation with materials, equipment debugging, and troubleshooting. The construction of the tailings dam, production auxiliary facilities, and living facilities is progressing normally as planned. The production of the mining segment is minimally affected by ice and snow weather. Meanwhile, since the company has optimized the project construction scheme and moved the flotation section of the beneficiation plant down to the mouth of Lijiagou, the number of production days per year has increased from 270 to 330, further minimizing the impact of the ice and snow season on the production of the Lijiagou project.

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Releases the Second Batch of New Energy Vehicles Eligible for Vehicle Purchase Tax Exemption; NIO, Geely, Among Others Listed] On February 4th, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Products" (379th Batch), " Catalog of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicle Models Eligible for Tax Deductions and Exemptions for Vehicle and Vessel Taxes" (58th Batch), and "Catalog of New Energy Vehicle Models Eligible for Vehicle Purchase Tax Exemption" (2nd Batch), with NIO, Geely Automobile, and others included.

In 2023, China's Exports to "Belt and Road" Co-Construction Countries in Motor Vehicle Merchandise Increased by 43.6% Year-on-Year. According to the latest data compiled by the China Automobile Industry Association from the General Administration of Customs, in 2023, China's exports to "Belt and Road" co-construction countries in motor vehicle merchandise totaled 117.1 billion US dollars, an increase of 43.6% year-on-year, accounting for 55.9% of the total motor vehicle merchandise exports. Among them, the number of exported vehicles was 3.428 million units, an increase of 62.8% year-on-year, accounting for 65.7% of the total number of exported vehicles.

[Huatai Securities: Positive on the Opportunities for the Fast-Charging Industry Chain in 2024] Huatai research report pointed out that in the 2023 new energy vehicle market, the trend of fast charging has been established, not only in the increasing number of mid-to-high-end models but also with the launch of CATL's Kirin superfast charging battery, emphasizing "technological equality," lowering the threshold for fast charging. The penetration of fast charging in economical models is also expected to accelerate. The comprehensive promotion of fast charging requires upgrades and support from multiple aspects such as charging piles, vehicles, and electric grids. Charging piles related to charging guns, charging modules; vehicles related to onboard power sources, fuses; and battery-related components in vehicles such as conductive carbon black, carbon-coated lithium battery materials, will outline a new investment trend within the lithium battery new technology. From the middle of 2023, fast charging has gradually become a standard feature in new cars at the 200,000 yuan price range, and the prospects for the fast-charging industry chain are seen positive for the year 2024.

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