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

At least 21 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi, India on Wednesday.

More than 40 others were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, local media reported.

The fire initially broke out on the ground floor and spread quickly to the upper floors of the Micasa Inn hotel in the Malviya Nagar area.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Sources said that the hotel is close to one of New Delhi's top medical centers, with most guests at the hotel either seeking treatment or attending patients admitted to the hospital.

It was also learned that under the license granted, the hotel was only allowed to have six rooms, whereas it was reportedly operating 25 rooms at the time of the incident.

At least 21 killed in New Delhi hotel fire