Chery, China’s second-largest carmaker, said on Thursday that it had formally applied to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as it regards the city as a springboard to tap into the international market.

At a launch event in Hong Kong, Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery, said he appreciated the city’s ability to fundraise and innovate and expressed his willingness to cooperate with Hong Kong companies in developing new quality productive forces.

ALSO READ: Soy sauce maker Foshan Haitian takes orders for up to $1.2 billion HK listing

Yin also said Cherry hoped to establish a manufacturing center in Hong Kong.

Chery's sales in the first five months of 2025 rose 14 percent year-on-year to more than 1 million units, of which exports accounted for about 440,000 units. It is also developing flying cars and humanoid robots.

READ MORE: Dual listings on HK stock exchange flavor of season

Cherry also stated that the current global tariff arrangements will affect the pace of expansion in the international market, but it will not change of its determination to develop overseas markets. The automaker is exploring the European and right-hand drive car markets, and may expand production capacity overseas in the future.

Contact the writer at thor_wu@chinadailyhk.com