Autonomous vehicle development accelerates in China as over 16,000 test licenses issued

Chinese public security authorities have issued a total of 16,000 test licenses for autonomous vehicles, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday, highlighting the fast growth of this potentially revolutionary new sector.

At a press conference in Beijing, the ministry also revealed that a total of 32,000 kilometers of roads have been opened up for autonomous vehicle testing across the nation as China pushes ahead with the development of these self-driving vehicles.

According to the press conference, China is developing a comprehensive management system for autonomous vehicles, including road testing, pilot application, opening-up access, and setting up roadworthy standards.

In July 2021, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued guidelines on autonomous vehicles, covering issues including road testing, applications, driving standards, traffic management and accident handling.

Over the years, regulations and law provisions have been formulated or revised to govern various aspects of the industry in China, including road testing, registration, and traffic safety liability for driver-less vehicles.

"In November 2023, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments jointly issued regulations to implement pilot access for autonomous driving vehicle products that have passed technical tests and are ready for mass production. After the pilot access, autonomous driving vehicles included in the announcement of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology can purchase insurance, apply for vehicle registration, and carry out pilot road access in designated areas," said Wang Qiang, director of the ministry's Traffic Management Bureau.

Officials say the ministry will continue working with other relevant departments to establish nationwide technical standards for autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous vehicle development accelerates in China as over 16,000 test licenses issued

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Friday urged political advisors to intensify research and consultation to offer valuable suggestions for advancing the cause of people with disabilities.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made these remarks while presiding over a biweekly consultation session of the national committee.

Wang underlined that ensuring a happy and fulfilling life for people with disabilities is an essential requirement for promoting Chinese modernization.

He called upon political advisors to focus on the new situations and challenges in advancing the cause for such individuals while urging more targeted and practical proposals based on thorough investigations and research.

Democratic oversight should be strengthened to ensure the effective implementation of policies supporting those with disabilities, Wang noted.

Several national political advisors also made their remarks during the session. They called for efforts to create unobstructed career development pathways for people with disabilities, advance research and application of assistive technologies, and enhance the quality of public services to continuously improve their quality of life.

China's top political advisor stresses boosting services for people with disabilities