On 27 March 2026, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology published the Blue Paper on Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (2025). The report offers a comprehensive overview of global and Chinese developments in intelligent and connected vehicles (ICVs), covering policy frameworks, standardization progress, key technologies, application scenarios, and future industry trends. This article draws on the blue paper to outline the current state of ICV standardization in China and provide an overview of its latest developments.
China’s standardization system for ICV is characterized by strong government coordination, cross-sector integration, and a clear orientation toward supporting regulatory implementation and large-scale deployment. Within the broader governance framework, standards function as the critical link between policy objectives and industrial application, translating high-level regulatory requirements into concrete technical specifications. As highlighted in the blue paper, the development of the ICV sector is supported by a three-layer structure consisting of policy frameworks, technical standards, and industrial collaboration, with standards playing a central role in enabling interoperability and commercialization.
At the top level, China has established a comprehensive standardization roadmap through documents such as the Guidelines for the Construction of Standards System for National ICV Industry. This framework reflects a coordinated approach involving multiple authorities, including those responsible for industry, transport, public security, and market regulation. A distinct feature in China’s approach integrates automotive, telecommunications, transportation, and urban infrastructure domains into a unified standardization architecture. Furthermore, the development of standards is highly application-driven, with priorities often defined by emerging deployment scenarios such as automated driving, vehicle–road coordination, and smart traffic management.
The standards system itself can be broadly divided into three main domains:
- First, information and communication standards form the technical foundation, covering vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication protocols, 5G integration, data interfaces, cybersecurity, and open service platforms. These standards aim to ensure reliable and secure connectivity across vehicles, infrastructure, and cloud platforms.
- Second, automotive standards focus on product-level requirements and are closely linked to market access. They include safety standards (such as cybersecurity, over-the-air updates, and data recording), networked application standards (including direct communication and in-vehicle information systems), and automated driving standards defining functional requirements, performance metrics, and testing methods. Notably, China has already issued its first national standard on automated driving, while additional mandatory standards are under development to support regulatory enforcement.
- Third, infrastructure and cross-sector standards represent a distinctive feature of China’s system. These include standards for vehicle–road coordination, intelligent transportation management, and geospatial data, which collectively support the deployment of integrated “vehicle–road–cloud” systems. In particular, standards for roadside sensing systems and smart road infrastructure are being developed to enable large-scale, coordinated applications. This reflects a systemic approach in which vehicles are not treated as isolated products but as components of a broader digital mobility ecosystem.
From an operational perspective, China’s standardization system combines mandatory national standards, recommended national standards, and industry standards, with an increasing emphasis on mandatory requirements in safety-critical areas. In practice, standards are closely tied to regulatory approval processes, especially in areas such as automated driving, cybersecurity, and software updates. As a result, compliance with relevant standards is often a prerequisite for market entry, reinforcing the strong coupling between standardization and regulation.
China’s ICV standardization is evolving toward a more integrated and globally competitive model. Key trends include the transition from isolated technical standards to system-level architectures, the deepening alignment between standards and regulatory frameworks, the growing importance of data and interface standardization, and increased participation in international standard-setting bodies. China is building a comprehensive, scenario-driven standards system that not only supports domestic deployment but also seeks to enhance its influence in global standardization governance.
The Blue Paper is available only in Chinese. However, if you need a copy or have further inquiries on this topic, please email your request to assistant@sesec.eu
