Guangdong Backs Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hengqin in Advancing Smart Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment

The Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission recently issued the "Guangdong Province 2026 Work Plan for Optimizing a Market-Oriented, World-Class Business Environment," which explicitly supports Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hengqin, and other areas in conducting road testing and pilot applications of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) and promotes mutual recognition of cross-regional test results and licenses. The plan emphasizes implementing the principle of "admission unless prohibited," enforcing special measures to relax market access in Nansha, Shenzhen, and Hengqin, and improving market access conditions in the low-altitude airspace sector by enhancing infrastructure such as general aviation airports and drone takeoff/landing sites. It also calls for expanding ICV applications in scenarios including unmanned delivery, tourist shuttle services, logistics transportation, and smart sanitation. Additionally, Guangdong will ease market access restrictions on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, support R&D of new drugs and cutting-edge technologies, and actively foster emerging marine economy sectors such as the yacht industry, promoting "free travel" for yachts among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.