PM Modi trips Xi’s preferred cars and truck throughout China go to: All about the Hongqi

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Tianjin, China, on August 31 for the SCO Summit, his very first journey to China in over 7 years, he was chauffeured around in the Hongqi L5, the renowned high-end vehicle chosen by President Xi Jinping himself.

The Hongqi, which equates to “Red Flag” in Mandarin, brings more weight than many lorries. It has actually long been connected to China’s nationwide pride, presented just for its leading leaders and checking out dignitaries.

By using the “Made-in-China” cars and truck to PM Modi now, Beijing has actually extended a symbolic gesture of regard and an indication of re-evolving bonhomie in between the 2 countries.

Here’s a more detailed take a look at what makes the Hongqi so unique, and why it mattered on this go to.

The tradition of the Hongqi

Hongqi’s story returns to 1958, when the state-owned First Automotive Works (FAW)introduced the brand name as the main vehicle for Communist Party of China(CPC)elites.

For years, Hongqi has actually been a sign of eminence and authority, scheduled for celebration leaders, presidents, and going to dignitaries.

The automobile has actually constantly been unique, nearly never ever readily available to regular residents or personal purchasers. Its flagship design, the custom-made Hongqi L5, is thought about among the most costly automobiles ever made in China, bring a price of around$800,000.

Extending over 5.5 metres and weighing 3.1 tonnes, the L5 is fitted with an effective V12 engine, armoured security, and luxurious interiors lined with leather, handcrafted wood, and protected interaction systems.

Throughout Mao Zedong’s period, Hongqi automobiles were meticulously hand-built in little numbers and utilized practically completely for political occasions and events. As imported high-end brand names went into the Chinese market in the 1980s, the marque slowly slipped into obscurity.

Its revival was available in the 2000s, when Beijing started promoting homegrown items that might stand as signs of nationwide pride. Xi Jinping, who has actually placed himself as China’s most effective leader considering that Mao, made Hongqi main to that effort.

In a 2012 speech to Communist Party cadres, Xi stated, “It does not look best to being in a foreign cars and truck. Great deals of foreign leaders utilize limos of their own nation, unless there isn’t one.” He argued that Chinese leaders, too, need to take a trip in automobiles made in your home.

Under Xi, the Hongqi became what Cadillac’s “Beast” is to the United States president, a state car with both symbolic and useful weight. The very first time he showcased Chinese-made vehicles abroad was throughout his 2014 state check out to New Zealand, according to the South China Morning Post

Ever since, he has actually made the L5 his signature trip, even throughout abroad journeys. He even utilized the high-end limo throughout his journey to India in 2019 in Mahabalipuram, where it ended up being a point of interest.

Check out: From India to Russia: The financial and military may of SCO countries

Why this gesture for Modi matters

In diplomacy, it’s frequently the subtle diplomatic gestures that bring the loudest messages. By putting PM Modi in the Hongqi L5, Beijing made a warm symbolic gesture.

Modi’s journey to Tianjin was his very first to China in more than 7 years, following a long spell of wintry ties activated by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. A bilateral conference on Sunday in between the 2 sides was viewed as a thaw in the stretched relationship.

Throughout the conference, Xi Jinping informed PM Modi that it was the requirement of the hour for the “Dragon and Elephant to come together” and “be pals.”

Modi and Xi formerly held a bilateral on the sidelines of a Brics top in Russia in October 2024. That conference, their very first official conversation in 5 years, led the way for stress to be alleviated in the India-China relationship.

PM Modi informed President Xi that India is devoted to advancing its ties with China based on shared trust, regard, and level of sensitivity, keeping in mind that cooperation in between the 2 nations is connected to the well-being of 2.8 billion individuals.

The 2 leaders likewise invited troop disengagement along the border, revealed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and accepted reboot direct flights, all relocations focused on signalling a careful reset.

The conference is available in the background of New Delhi’s souring ties with the United States as Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports enter result. China has actually backed India on Trump’s tariffs, implicating America of being a “bully”.

Which other leaders were provided a Hongqi?

Throughout the years, just a handful of going to leaders have actually been chauffeured around in it.

When United States President Richard Nixon made his journey to China in the 1970s, it was a Hongqi that brought him and his delegation, marking the automobile’s significance in Sino-American diplomacy.

Years later on, in 2013, French President François Hollande was likewise chauffeured in a Hongqi throughout his state go to, a gesture that echoed the custom initially reached French leaders back in the 1960s.

With input from firms