Luxury car drivers banned from using military plates
Source: Agencies |
April 30, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is banning the use of military license plates on luxury cars in an attempt to crack down on the widespread abuse of privileges granted to drivers of military vehicles.
From today, owners of military vehicles must replace their license plates as part of a new registration system which aims to prevent unauthorized drivers from being given preferential treatment on the roads.
The defense ministry said a range of luxury cars and SUVs would be banned from using military plates, including models from Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Land Rover and Audi.
Regardless of marque, all vehicles with engine capacity above 3 liters or costing more than 450,000 yuan (US$73,000) will be barred from carrying military plates.
Military plates with their distinctive red Chinese letters allow the drivers to avoid paying tolls, parking fees and speeding tickets.
"The new policy is about more than just replacing license plates," according to a Xinhua news agency commentary.
"It is intended to reduce abuses of power and the neglect of duty, as well as improve public trust in the military and maintain social harmony.
"The military must tackle corruption on wheels before it can improve its ability to safeguard the country."
Authorities can identify fake plates by using high-tech monitoring equipment, the defense ministry said, as the move also seeks to rein in the use of fake military plates.
The plates issued by the People's Liberation Army and paramilitary People's Armed Police come in scores of varieties, and counterfeits are common. Chinese newspapers recently carried a story about a long-haul trucker who had painted his vehicle in camouflage colors and fitted it with fake military plate.
President Xi Jinping has made fighting corruption a top priority, and urged the ruling Communist Party to "oppose hedonism and flamboyant lifestyles."
Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said corruption could "kill the Party" that has ruled China and its army since 1949.
"All of society has high hopes for the 'plate changing campaign'," The People's Liberation Army Daily said in an editorial.
"This dictates that the policy cannot be allowed to fail and must be carried out through practical steps to win the people's trust," it said.
From today, owners of military vehicles must replace their license plates as part of a new registration system which aims to prevent unauthorized drivers from being given preferential treatment on the roads.
The defense ministry said a range of luxury cars and SUVs would be banned from using military plates, including models from Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Land Rover and Audi.
Regardless of marque, all vehicles with engine capacity above 3 liters or costing more than 450,000 yuan (US$73,000) will be barred from carrying military plates.
Military plates with their distinctive red Chinese letters allow the drivers to avoid paying tolls, parking fees and speeding tickets.
"The new policy is about more than just replacing license plates," according to a Xinhua news agency commentary.
"It is intended to reduce abuses of power and the neglect of duty, as well as improve public trust in the military and maintain social harmony.
"The military must tackle corruption on wheels before it can improve its ability to safeguard the country."
Authorities can identify fake plates by using high-tech monitoring equipment, the defense ministry said, as the move also seeks to rein in the use of fake military plates.
The plates issued by the People's Liberation Army and paramilitary People's Armed Police come in scores of varieties, and counterfeits are common. Chinese newspapers recently carried a story about a long-haul trucker who had painted his vehicle in camouflage colors and fitted it with fake military plate.
President Xi Jinping has made fighting corruption a top priority, and urged the ruling Communist Party to "oppose hedonism and flamboyant lifestyles."
Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said corruption could "kill the Party" that has ruled China and its army since 1949.
"All of society has high hopes for the 'plate changing campaign'," The People's Liberation Army Daily said in an editorial.
"This dictates that the policy cannot be allowed to fail and must be carried out through practical steps to win the people's trust," it said.
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