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

A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman announced that, out of humanitarian considerations, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning permitted the transfer of injured personnel from a Philippine vessel that was illegally "grounded" at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.

Jiang Lue, spokesman for the CCG, said the transfer, under the monitoring of the Chinese side, was conducted via a small boat of a Philippine vessel.

The transfer came a day after Philippine personnel from the illegally grounded Philippine ship LT-57 carried out a malicious provocation, attacking a CCG patrol boat with oars, poles and other tools and injuring a CCG officer's right arm. The CCG responded with maximum restraint, taking lawful measures to stabilize the situation.

The CCG will continue to carry out law-enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters in accordance with the law, the spokesman added.

China permits injured Philippine personnel transfer from illegally grounded vessel