What does a license plate with 'Shi' mean?
2 Answers
A license plate with 'Shi' indicates that the vehicle belongs to a foreign embassy and enjoys diplomatic immunity. Here are the specific details: Vehicle License Plate: A vehicle license plate is a hard, standardized plate with a uniform format and design, issued by the vehicle management authority after reviewing, inspecting, and registering a vehicle that has applied for a license. It bears a unique registration code. License Plate Introduction: Commonly referred to as a license plate, it is a plate made of materials such as aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or paper, displaying the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information, and is mounted on the front and rear of the vehicle. Function of License Plates: License plates serve to number and record information about vehicles. Their primary purpose is to identify the region to which the vehicle belongs and to allow tracking of the vehicle's owner and registration details through the plate number.
I often drive on the streets of Beijing and see license plates with the character 'Shi' (使), such as 'Shi 12345'. These are actually markings for diplomatic mission vehicles. They represent official cars of foreign embassies, consulates, or international organizations, enjoying certain special privileges, such as exemption from traffic violation fines and priority passage. I find it quite interesting because ordinary blue-plate vehicles don't have these privileges. Generally, these cars appear near embassy areas, such as Sanlitun or Jianguomen. Many people wonder why they have such privileges—it actually stems from international conventions, and China, as a responsible country, adheres to these regulations. If you encounter them on the road, don't be too confrontational; it's best to yield and prioritize safety. In case of an accident, handling it can be quite troublesome, so it's best to call the police directly.
