China issues regulations on road tests for Intelligent Connected Vehicles

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China has released its regulations on road tests for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), aiming to create a favorable and healthy environment for developing such technologies.

The document dated April 3 was jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Transport.

With six chapters and 29 clauses, it covers such aspects as test application, test management, traffic violations, as well as accident handling.

Xin Guobin, vice-minister of industry and information technology said during a press conference on Thursday that research and practice in the sector has become a strategic high ground for innovating global auto industry.

He also said this would further help solve problems like traffic jams, energy shortages, and pollutant discharge in the foreseeable future.

China attaches great importance to the development of Intelligent Connected Vehicles, and lists it as one of the ten key development sectors in the countries’ strategy of "Made-in-China 2025".

A national committee for the development of ICVs has been established with at least 20 departments involved.

According to the press conference, the close and the semi-close tests have started in major cities across China, and local regulations earlier were already issued in Beijing and Shanghai.

The mainstream car companies in China are speeding up innovating piloted driving technologies, and an autonomous supply chain is taking shape, according to Xin Guobin.

Xin stressed that the priority of the development of Intelligent Connected Vehicles is safety, and the relevant departments will use the data and experiences in the new situation to further improve the technology.

During the press conference, officials from the three ministries also welcomed foreign funded enterprises to have road tests for Intelligent Connected Vehicles in China, according to the requirements of the documents.

(Cover photo via Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)