China has issued a new regulation on foreign automobiles and drivers to improve road traffic safety, according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The new regulation will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2007.

The existing regulation dates from 1989 but is no longer adequate to deal with rapidly growing trade and traffic, the ministry said.

A large number of foreign passenger and freight vehicles cross into China at border zones for short periods, the ministry said.

Foreign automobiles entering China temporarily must have automobile liability insurance and automobile safety and technical inspection certificates.

The regulation also requires foreign automobiles to drive in designated areas and on designated routes and leave China by a certain date.

Statistics from the MPS shows that in 2005, vehicles driven by foreigners caused 95 traffic accidents leading to 28 deaths and 90 people injured.

Taking into account all road accidents in China in 2005, irrespective of whether the vehicles were driven by foreigners or by Chinese nationals, a total of 40 foreigners died and 198 were injured.

Foreigners visiting China for a short period must either drive automobiles brought from outside China or rental cars. Authorized rental cars are compact cars and automatic compact models.

Foreigners holding an overseas driving license can obtain a temporary driving permit after undergoing training in China's traffic law and regulations.

The new regulation is a general regulation for day-to-day foreign vehicles and drivers in China. Foreign journalists driving in China during the 2008 Olympics will be treated as "special cases", the ministry said.

China will adopt the standard International Olympic Committee practice of making things convenient for them, the ministry said.

Source: Xinhua