Shenzhen Clarifies Misinterpretation of "Citywide Autonomous Ride-Hailing Deployment," Stresses Orderly Testing and Pilot Programs

Shenzhen authorities have responded to recent online discussions on social media regarding claims of "citywide deployment of driverless ride-hailing vehicles," clarifying that such reports represent a partial and exaggerated interpretation of the "Amendment to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Regulations on Intelligent Connected Vehicles." The amendment will take effect on July 1, 2026. Article 17 stipulates that the municipal government may, based on the development of intelligent connected vehicles and infrastructure readiness, "gradually explore citywide open-road testing and demonstration applications" across several administrative districts or the entire city, and pilot commercial operations. A spokesperson from the Shenzhen Intelligent Connected Transportation Association stated that intelligent connected vehicles are currently limited to testing and demonstration phases. Under strict safety assurances, these activities provide enterprises with real-world scenarios to validate and refine their technologies, thereby advancing the gradual maturation of autonomous driving systems. To date, no municipal-level policy has been issued to launch commercial operation pilots. Industry experts emphasized that the phrase "gradual exploration" is key to understanding this provision, reflecting Shenzhen’s cautious approach—prioritizing regulatory frameworks before steadily advancing deployment. Additionally, according to the "April 2026 Operational Dynamics and Risk Alert for Shenzhen's Ride-Hailing Industry," released by the Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau on May 25, 2026, as of April 30, 2026, the city had 26 licensed ride-hailing platforms, 142,247 issued Network-Appointed Taxi Vehicle Permits, and 394,872 Shenzhen Taxi Driver Certificates, indicating that the market has generally reached saturation.