A visitor holds an umbrella as she looks at a Tesla Model X car on display at the G Festival, part of the Global Mobile Internet Conference in Beijing on April 29, 2017. (Photo: IC)

Beijing's mayor Chen Jining met with Tesla's President and CEO Elon Musk on July 12 to discuss the construction of Tesla's sci-tech innovation center in Beijing as well as deepening cooperation in intelligent connected automobiles, battery storage and other related products.

Ren Yuxiang, Tesla's head for Asia Pacific, said that Tesla will rev up the construction of its Beijing sci-tech innovation center, which will have more than 100 R&D staff by 2020.

Tesla located its China headquarters in Beijing in 2013. Later, the world-renowned automaker successively established its operating center, settlement center and sales company in the Chinese capital.

In 2017, Tesla has registered its first technology innovation center outside the US in Beijing, covering product operations, manufacturing and R&D in China and the Asia Pacific region.

The sci-tech innovation center will build and expand its business which focuses on software and hardware, process and technology development, local application access and development, data analysis in China and the Asia-Pacific region, as well R&D of intelligent connected automobiles technology. The center will also provide support for diversified local operations, production and R&D.

China is Tesla's biggest market outside the US. In addition, the country is also the largest market for new energy automobiles. Data shows that more than 175,000 fully electric vehicles are on the roads in Beijing.

"Beijing is a talent gathering base, and there are many world-class institutions and universities. We will make full use of this advantage, and deepen our cooperation with the government, research institutions and universities in the future. From new energy vehicles to energy storage, every aspect of cooperation will be involved," said Ren.