What kind of organization uses vehicles with black license plates and white characters?
3 Answers
Black license plates with white characters are generally used by vehicles belonging to foreign embassies and consulates in China, as well as offices of foreign institutions and enterprises, and wholly foreign-owned enterprises, among others. Vehicles of foreign embassies and consulates in China have license plates with a black background and white characters, starting with the red characters 'Shi' (for embassy) or 'Ling' (for consulate), surrounded by a white border. Vehicles used by offices of foreign institutions and enterprises, and wholly foreign-owned enterprises, among others, have license plates with a black background and white characters, starting with the white characters 'Gang' (for Hong Kong) or 'Ao' (for Macau), also surrounded by a white border. Relevant precautions include: Vehicle inspection before departure: Conduct a comprehensive check of the vehicle every day before departure. Safe driving: Use seat belts correctly and avoid driving while fatigued. Observe traffic rules: Do not exceed the speed limit on highways.
I have worked in the automotive industry for many years, and black license plates with white characters in China specifically refer to vehicles of foreign institutions and enterprises in China. As a car enthusiast, I often observe the differences in license plate colors: ordinary private cars use blue plates, large trucks use yellow, new energy vehicles use green, while black plates with white characters generally belong to embassies or foreign companies. For example, on the streets of big cities, when you see a black license plate, it often starts with the character '使,' indicating an embassy vehicle. I have friends who work at consulates, and their official vehicles use this type of license plate, enjoying certain privileges such as diplomatic immunity. But ordinary car owners don’t need to be nervous when they see one—it’s just an identifier. The license plate system is designed this way to facilitate the management of international affairs vehicles and avoid confusion. If you notice anything unusual about such a vehicle, report it to the traffic authorities promptly.
Having driven for many years, I've done some research on license plate colors. In my experience, vehicles with black plates and white characters are usually from foreign embassies or foreign-funded enterprises. I remember once being stuck in traffic downtown and spotting a black-plated Audi, which turned out to be an official vehicle of the U.S. Embassy. These plates allow ordinary people like us to identify them at a glance without getting close, knowing they belong to international institutions. In China, diplomatic vehicles have specific regulations. Compared to the common blue private plates, black plates are relatively rare and usually appear only in embassy districts or at the entrances of large corporations. When encountering such vehicles while driving, it's appropriate to yield as they may have special passage rights. Understanding this can enhance road safety awareness, so next time, be careful not to misjudge.