When Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin on August 31 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, his transport was not just any luxury car. He was driven around in the Hongqi L5, the same model that Chinese President Xi Jinping chooses for himself. The car, whose name means “Red Flag” in Mandarin, is more than a vehicle. It represents national pride, political symbolism and the power of Chinese statecraft.
What makes the Hongqi L5 special
Hongqi was created in 1958 by the state-owned First Automotive Works as a car reserved for Communist Party elites. From the start it was built to be exclusive, never intended for private buyers. The flagship L5 is a statement of that exclusivity. At more than 5.5 metres long and weighing over three tonnes, it comes fitted with a 6.0-litre V12 engine, advanced armour, secure communication systems and interiors made of fine leather and handcrafted wood. With a price tag close to $800,000, it is often described as China’s most expensive car.
During Mao Zedong’s time, Hongqi vehicles were hand-built in very limited numbers and mostly used for parades or diplomatic events. The brand faded in the 1980s as foreign luxury makers entered China, but it was revived under Xi Jinping as part of his campaign to push Chinese-made symbols of power. Today, Hongqi is to China what Cadillac’s “Beast” is to the United States, a rolling emblem of national authority.
Why the ride matters for India-China ties
For Beijing, who sits in a Hongqi carries its own message. In 2012, Xi himself told party cadres that Chinese leaders should not appear in foreign-made cars when their own country had a capable brand. Since then, he has made Hongqi his personal signature vehicle, even using it abroad, including during his 2019 visit to India.
By offering PM Modi a ride in the Hongqi, China was not just extending courtesy. It was a symbolic gesture of respect and recognition. Modi’s visit marked his first trip to China in over seven years, coming after the 2020 Galwan clashes froze relations. This time, both leaders spoke of moving forward, with Xi saying the “Dragon and Elephant” must be partners. The choice of car served as a subtle reminder that Beijing was willing to show warmth and project a reset in ties.
Other world leaders in the Hongqi
The Hongqi has been sparingly used for foreign leaders, which makes the choice more telling. In the 1970s, US President Richard Nixon was driven in one during his landmark China visit. French presidents, including François Hollande in 2013, have also been offered the car as a mark of honour.
That history makes Modi’s ride in Tianjin more than a detail. It was a diplomatic signal, carried on four wheels, that Beijing was ready to put symbolism behind its words of friendship.
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