Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:

Currently, the topics of unmanned and autonomous driving are very popular. We also understand that the MPS has cooperated with the Ministry of Transport and other departments on numerous areas. What other considerations have the MPS made in promoting the development of unmanned and autonomous driving? Thank you.

Qi Yanjun:

Thank you for your question. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer.

Wang Qiang:

I'll answer this question. This is also an issue of great concern to all sectors of society. Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), commonly known as unmanned or autonomous vehicles, are currently a major high ground in the new round of scientific and technological revolution worldwide. Currently, through continuous technological accumulation and testing, China's ICV industry is advancing steadily. In this process, the public security traffic management departments and public security organs have fully leveraged their functions and protected the legitimate rights and interests of traffic participants in accordance with the law, continuously adapted to the development of autonomous driving technology, and actively cooperated with competent authorities to carry out management and support work. So far, a total of 16,000 license plates for testing autonomous vehicles have been issued, and 32,000 kilometers of public roads have been opened for testing, which has effectively supported the verification and updating of autonomous driving technology.

On the one hand, we are actively cooperating with competent authorities to promote road trials. Our country is currently forming a comprehensive management system for autonomous vehicles covering road testing, demonstration and application, market access and on-road operation. In terms of road testing and demonstration and application, in July 2021, the MPS jointly issued a document with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the MOT, clearly stipulating the requirements for entities, drivers and vehicles involved in the technical testing and demonstration and application of autonomous vehicles on public roads, as well as the management of road testing and demonstration and application, and the handling of traffic violations and accidents. In terms of market access pilot program and on-road operation, in November 2023, the MPS jointly issued regulations with the MIIT and other departments, conducting a pilot program of market access for autonomous vehicle products that have undergone technical testing and are ready for mass production. Autonomous vehicles included in the MIIT's announcement after the access pilot program can purchase insurance, get registered and conduct pilot tests for on-road operation within designated areas. In addition, in the pilot application of the vehicle-road-cloud collaborative system, the MPS jointly issued a notice with the MIIT and other departments, refining and improving relevant management measures for road traffic safety management and cybersecurity.

On the other hand, we are also actively promoting the revision of the Road Traffic Safety Law. Detailed regulations have been established regarding road testing of self-driving cars, their on-road passage, traffic violations, accident handling and the pursuit of related responsibilities. Currently, the revision of the Road Traffic Safety Law has been included in the State Council's 2024 annual legislative agenda and the first category of the legislative plan of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress.

Additionally, we are proactively advancing the formulation and revision of relevant technical standards. In the areas of registration management, identity authentication, and safety and road traffic management for autonomous driving, we are actively promoting the development of eight national standards, including technical requirements for driving safety tests for intelligent and connected vehicles, as well as 10 public safety industry standards, such as elements and setup requirements for driving safety tests on public roads of intelligent and connected vehicles. We are also working closely with the MIIT and other departments to promote the establishment of a unified national technical standard system for autonomous vehicles.

Next, the MPS will balance development and security, actively cooperating with the MIIT, the MOT and other relevant authorities. We will promote the advancement of the autonomous driving industry and the transformation and upgrading of the automotive industry in a legal, secure, steady and orderly manner, serving the high-quality economic development of our country. Thank you.