What does the black license plate with Jing A mean?
2 Answers
Jing is the abbreviation for China's capital, and Jing A is the earliest issued vehicle license plate. Black license plates are for foreign vehicles. Below are the relevant details: 1. Issuance Scope: Black license plates are issued to foreign enterprises (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, 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, Macao (Taiwan), and foreign countries, as well as temporary license plates for customs-seized vehicles or confidential institutions. 2. Matters Regarding the Installation of Motor Vehicle License Plates: Motor vehicle license plates can be directly installed on the vehicle body or mounted using a standardized license plate frame, provided that such a frame cannot be easily removed and must use a sealing device to secure the screw caps to prevent unauthorized removal. License plate frames must not use external, internal lock, electronic automatic shielding, or replaceable types that facilitate easy removal or replacement.
I've been driving in Beijing for over ten years and am quite familiar with license plates. The 'Jing A' black plates refer to diplomatic license plates in Beijing, typically with a black background, specifically for vehicles used by foreign embassies, consulates, or some foreign-funded enterprises. These cars aren't very common on the streets, but if you visit embassy areas like Sanlitun, you'll see quite a few. Sometimes I feel they get special treatment, like fewer parking violations being enforced, but don't worry, regular drivers should still give way when encountering them—safety first. For more clarity, I suggest checking the traffic rulebook or searching online for the latest policies to avoid misunderstandings. License plate colors in China are quite detailed: blue plates are for regular private cars, yellow plates for large trucks, white plates for military and police use, and black plates are basically exclusive to the diplomatic circle. Knowing these can help you assess situations faster on the road, especially since Beijing has a lot of traffic—staying alert is always good.
