China registered more than 96 million automotive vehicles in 2003, up 21 percent year-on-year, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Public Security Saturday.

This includes 24 million autos and 59 million motorcycles, a rise of 13 percent and 17.7 percent respectively over the previous year.

Meanwhile, China reports 12 million private cars in 2003, an increase of 24.8 percent over 2002.

Statistics also show that by the end of 2003, China had reported 102 million drivers, representing a yearly increase of 12.4 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2004)