Getting your new car on the road is about to become a lot easier in Beijing and other major Chinese cities. The Ministry of Public Security issued new policies last week that remove much of the red tape associated with the registration of new cars, according to the latest issue of Beijing.
Under the new policies, the complex formalities and numerous fees for registration have been abolished, reducing the time taken to issue a license plate from a week to just one day, provided the car passes the standard check and the owner is able to provide sufficient credentials. The credentials should include the owner's ID, the purchase receipt, eligibility certificate and purchase tax receipt.
Exemptions for high-end vehicles
The revisions also exempt domestically produced cars meeting certain size and quality standards from the necessity of undergoing the standard check prior to the issuing of license plates. The State Economic and Trade Commission is yet to define the qualifying size and quality standard. Imported cars will still be required to undergo inspection, at least in the short term.
Personalized number plates on the way
The new regulations also allow for car owners to choose their own license plate number, in accordance with related distribution rules. Analysts say the newly issued policies not only simplify the car registration process, but are also a step toward integration with the international market in the lead-up to China's joining the WTO.The policies will come into effect on a trial basis on October 8 in 15 cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.
They will be implemented nationwide at the beginning of next year.
(People's Daily 09/28/2001)
