Chinese restrict use of military number plates to stop officials abusing privileges

New rules aimed at stopping government officials from abusing their positions has forced the People’s Liberation Army to introduce a ban on the use of military number plates on Porsches and other luxury cars.

A common sight on the streets of Beijing and other cities is a giant Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, which retails for about 2.6 million yuan (€320,000), with distinctive white number plates signifying that the vehicle belongs to the army. In the back seat, stuffed with department store bags, sits a decidedly unmilitary looking shopping posse. Such cars can also be seen overtaking a line of traffic at the entrance to a tourist venue near the Great Wall, which long ceased to have any military significance.

Drivers of military vehicles are entitled to a number of privileges including exemptions from paying road tolls and parking fees.

Inevitably, these benefits have led some to create fake military licence plates. There is also abuse of genuine number plates, and the private use of military vehicles by government officials and wealthy individuals who are not supposed to use the vehicles.

The new ruling was ordered by the Central Military Commission, of which president Xi Jinping is chairman, and is part of the People Liberation Army's effort to reinforce discipline and protect its image, according to an article in the PLA Daily , the armed forces official newspaper.

The list of car makes was printed in a full-page special report, and is part of a clampdown on the sale and use of legal and counterfeit military plates.

The list of cars that do not qualify as military vehicles includes Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lincoln, Cadillac, the Volkswagen Phaeton, Bentley, Jaguar, Porsche, and any car that costs more than 450,000 yuan (€55,750), as well as SUVs including Land Rover and the Audi Q7.

"The new policy is about more than just replacing licence plates," the PLA Daily said. "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.”

Online commentators were sceptical. “This system will only scratch the surface. It won’t last long. After a while, it will go back as before.”