Sales of China's new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2021 overpassed 3.5 million, maintaining the position of global first for seven years in a roll, according to data released on a social platform of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Wednesday.According to the data, sales of NEVs stood at 3.521 million in 2021, increasing by 1.6 times from one year earlier.In 2021, China's automobile production and sales reached 26.082 million and 26.275 million respectively, up 3.4 percent and 3.8 percent year-on-year, ending the three-year decline trend.According to the ministry, China will continue to implement the development plan for the NEV industry in 2021-2035 and promote the sales of NEVs in rural areas.The ministry said it will also step up efforts to promote the development of NEVs and intelligent connected vehicles, in a bid to improve the stability and competitiveness of the industrial and supply chains.