What does a black license plate with Jing A represent?
2 Answers
Jing is the abbreviation for China's capital. Jing A is the earliest issued vehicle license plate, officially issued after the founding of China in 1949. Black license plates are for foreign vehicles, specifically vehicles purchased by foreign employees of foreign-funded enterprises in their personal names, with the vehicle's registration certificate under a foreigner's name. Details are as follows: 1. Issuance Scope: Black license plates refer to plates with black background, white characters, and white borders. They are issued to foreign enterprises (including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), foreign and international organizations stationed in China, vehicles purchased by foreigners in their personal names for use in China, vehicles entering from Hong Kong, Macau (Taiwan), and foreign countries, as well as temporary plates for vehicles temporarily detained by customs or confidential institutions. 2. Black Background with Red Characters: Plates with black background and white characters are for foreign-funded enterprises. Plates with black background and red characters preceded by the character 'Shi' indicate embassy vehicles, while those preceded by 'Jing' indicate that the vehicle is allowed to cross borders.
I've been driving for many years in Beijing and have seen a lot. The black license plates with Jing A are obviously exclusive to foreign enterprises or government agencies. These plates are dark in color and easy to recognize, unlike the blue plates for ordinary people. I remember in the 1990s, the streets of Beijing were full of such black-plated cars, all belonging to foreign companies or embassies. There are fewer now, but they still exist. Sometimes when parking on the roadside, you'll notice that black-plated cars aren't restricted and can move smoothly. Honestly, knowing a bit about this is good to avoid misunderstandings while driving. For example, don't try to cut off such cars—they might have priority, and conflicts could be troublesome. Beijing's traffic rules are complex, and license plate colors are like IDs. A little knowledge can make your journey safer.
