It is sometimes difficult to obtain information from Chinese companies – even those that are internationally active and have brands. Some, like Ehang (亿航), are making positive efforts.
Aderly, the Economic Development Agency for the Lyon area, went so far as to write three press releases. « Ehang, established in Canton in 2014, is a leader in the development and sale of commercial drones and taxi drones, and it has selected Lyon as the location for its first European R&D centre. » Aderly has published the same version in French and English on the agency’s website, as well as a Chinese version on its own WeChat account (from which the picture above is taken).
The Anglo-French version focuses on Ehang’s planned creation of 50 jobs in Lyon within 3 years and on « Aderly’s prospection drive to recruit Chinese companies with the help of its new Asia Desk, created in January. » Longer – as often -, the Chinese version insists on the long history of friendship between China and Lyon. « Hu Huazhi (胡华智), founder and CEO of Ehang, hopes to experience French and European cultures in Lyon, have a good understanding of the business environment in the European industries concerned and prepare for the expansion of the company on European markets. »
Different ways to communicate
« As the ‘French capital of silk’, Lyon has played an important role in spreading Chinese culture in France and Europe. Today, relations between Lyon and China are entering a new phase. Chinese students represent the largest group of foreign students in Lyon, where nearly 30 Chinese companies have already set up, including ChemChina, the Bank of China and Huawei », the statement continues.
Contacted to confirm the information published in a French weekly L’Usine Nouvelle’s article about the company, Ehang responded quickly through Anne Ji (冀晨悦), Senior Marketing Director. While inviting to consult the Chinese version of the press release on the Aderly WeChat account, she insisted on rectifying three pieces of information:
« 1. “About fifty jobs should be created within three years.” Although this information was not written in the MOU, we do share the same goal and expectation with Lyon to create more local jobs.
2. “The drone can carry up to 280kg of payload.”
The data is incorrect. The max payload of EHang 216 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle for two passengers, is 260 kg.
3. “This center will be turned towards the markets of Western Europe and North Africa.”
This information might be kind of interpretation by L’Usine Nouvelle itself, which was not equal to our business plans. »
Above average
Admittedly, Anne Ji could have also offered the English and French versions, but these have not been published on WeChat. And the last point about the markets of Western Europe and North Africa was yet stated in the Aderly press releases.
But these courtesy and precision are rare in a context of distrust of Chinese companies – even those oriented towards export – in the Western media. Being still uncomfortable with the press relations, they communicate very little – or not at all. And they hardly see the point of recruiting a communications officer to answer questions from journalists.
This is not Ehang’s first attempt abroad: in 2017, at the fifth World Government Summit, Ehang and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a partnership to jointly promote and introduce Ehang 184 in Dubai to « equip the city with the world’s smartest transportation system. » This time the company had written its own press release.
