(REUTERS): Tesla Inc chief executive Elon Musk today (Saturday) asserted that it would be good for the United States and China to increase mutual interest.
Musk was holding a discussion panel with Xue Qikun, a Chinese scientist specialising in quantum physics who is now head of Southern University of Scientist and Technology. They were participating in the China Development Forum, a high-level business gathering hosted by a foundation under the State Council.
Musk further said his company would be shut down if its cars spied in China or anywhere else. “There’s a very strong incentive for us to be very confidential with any information,” the Tesla chief added.
An international news agency, while quoting sources, claimed that the Chinese military has banned Tesla cars from entering its complexes, citing security concerns over cameras installed on the vehicles.
Those restrictions surfaced as the top Chinese and U.S. diplomats were holding a contentious meeting in Alaska, the first such in-person interaction since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January.
In China, the world’s biggest car market, Tesla sold 147,445 vehicles last year. However, it is facing more competition this year from domestic rivals from Nio Inc to Geely.
