CHINA, NATIONAL, FEATURES: Driving Ambition
By Song Mo and Wen Chihua
The automobile is fast becoming much more than just a mode of transport for modern Chinese youth and the numbers are staggering.
There was a 15-per cent sales surge last year in the world's second-largest motor-vehicle market, with 5.9 million new cars sold to happy new drivers.
The reasons for buying a car are personal rather than practical. "Getting a driving license is a must for my generation, just like getting a computer," says Shen Xi, a student at the Communication University of China in Beijing. "It's a part of you, suggesting who you are and how you're doing in this ruthless modern society."
The 19-year-old obtained his driving license at 18, the legal driving age in China.
"Nowadays, to a young urbanite, not knowing how to drive is like saying you don't know how to ride a bike. Most of my classmates have driving licences ready for a car soon after we graduate and land a job."
The cost of a driving licence ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan (US$375-625) and includes compulsory lessons at a certified driving school. There are 102 driving schools in Beijing.
Laoshan Driving School issued licenses to 2,780 young people in the capital in the first half of this year, according to the school's director Qin Junan. Back in 1992, 300 students received their licences, he said. In 2004, it was 6,000 students and by 2005, 7,000.
Things have changed since the 1980s, when only professional drivers were entitled to cars.
Hou Jiayi, a chauffeur for a government agency, recalled: "Back then, I worked in a motor plant. As drivers were badly needed, 10 workers, including me, were chosen to learn to drive from experienced drivers."
Before being allowed to drive by himself, Hou followed his teacher driving around the city for a whole year. "One experienced driver instructed one apprentice," Hou said. "We called them 'master' instead of 'teacher' because they taught us not only how to be a driver, but also how to be a sensible and responsible driver."
New lifestyle
For Hou and his contemporaries, driving was a prestigious profession. For 20-somethings, driving is an expression of status and individual freedom.
"My quality of life has improved since I got a Honda Accord two years ago," says a 28-year-old man, who asked not to be named for this article. "My fiance and I often go to the Maple Park Drive-in-Cinema, where you can enjoy movies in your car, like a box at a conventional theatre comfy and prestigious."
With four large screens, the drive-in theatre accommodates more than 500 vehicles. Each day, there are about 100 cars. "Most of them are young lovers," says cinema manager Gu Haiqiong. "Our drive-in really caters to their need for a cozy and private environment."
Others like to travel by car during their holidays. Wang Min, a businessman in his 40s, once drove 3,436 kilometres from Chengdu of Southwest China's Sichuan Province to Harbin of Heilongjiang in the Northeast.
"Sitting behind the wheel, your body, your spirit feels like they're flying, and you have control of everything except the toll fee. That's a little steep."
Wang said it cost him about 600 yuan (US$75) to travel from Beijing to Weihai, a tourist resort 967 kilometres southeast of the capital.
A must for marriage?
While cars began to become a part of life for many common Chinese into 1990s, a ride inside a luxury car at his or her wedding ceremony when the Chinese bridgegroom traditionally collected the bride from her family home for the ceremony has become a trend and been getting more popular, according to wedding planners.
"People believe that it is the most important day in one's life, so they want to make it as luxurious as they can," says Qi Xin, 33, manager of Xi Jiaojiao wedding company in Beijing.
Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz and Audi A6 are the top flavours for the day. A Lincoln costs about 5,000-8,000 yuan (US$625-1,000) a day, and a motorcade with 10 cars costs at least 10,000 yuan (US$1,250).
For some women, their husband-to-be must have a car. "A car proves a man's success in his career, suggesting he has gained some economic power. I don't want to have a fight with my husband over money, " says Wang Sichen, a 24-year-old Beijing white-collar worker.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the watch symbolized the height of luxury to many urban Chinese, sometimes costing a whole year's salary. Those who finally bought one would often push up their sleeves from time to time, hoping others would take notice.
Watches these days are no longer flaunted, and now it seems everybody is reaching for the steering wheel.
"The car is like yesterday's watch. More and more people buy cars not to simply show off, but to improve their quality of life," says Shen Zhong, a 52-year-old Beijing accountant.
Children of the next generation are already becoming indoctrinated into the new China car culture.
Li Yiding, 6, has pretty much grown up with a car. "I tell Mom to fasten seatbelt when she drives. I can help her watch the road conditions. I can identify many cars BMW, Benz, QQ and Renault, " says the boy.
The article has been published in China Daily on September 2nd.
The automobile is fast becoming much more than just a mode of transport for modern Chinese youth and the numbers are staggering.
There was a 15-per cent sales surge last year in the world's second-largest motor-vehicle market, with 5.9 million new cars sold to happy new drivers.
The reasons for buying a car are personal rather than practical. "Getting a driving license is a must for my generation, just like getting a computer," says Shen Xi, a student at the Communication University of China in Beijing. "It's a part of you, suggesting who you are and how you're doing in this ruthless modern society."
The 19-year-old obtained his driving license at 18, the legal driving age in China.
"Nowadays, to a young urbanite, not knowing how to drive is like saying you don't know how to ride a bike. Most of my classmates have driving licences ready for a car soon after we graduate and land a job."
The cost of a driving licence ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan (US$375-625) and includes compulsory lessons at a certified driving school. There are 102 driving schools in Beijing.
Laoshan Driving School issued licenses to 2,780 young people in the capital in the first half of this year, according to the school's director Qin Junan. Back in 1992, 300 students received their licences, he said. In 2004, it was 6,000 students and by 2005, 7,000.
Things have changed since the 1980s, when only professional drivers were entitled to cars.
Hou Jiayi, a chauffeur for a government agency, recalled: "Back then, I worked in a motor plant. As drivers were badly needed, 10 workers, including me, were chosen to learn to drive from experienced drivers."
Before being allowed to drive by himself, Hou followed his teacher driving around the city for a whole year. "One experienced driver instructed one apprentice," Hou said. "We called them 'master' instead of 'teacher' because they taught us not only how to be a driver, but also how to be a sensible and responsible driver."
New lifestyle
For Hou and his contemporaries, driving was a prestigious profession. For 20-somethings, driving is an expression of status and individual freedom.
"My quality of life has improved since I got a Honda Accord two years ago," says a 28-year-old man, who asked not to be named for this article. "My fiance and I often go to the Maple Park Drive-in-Cinema, where you can enjoy movies in your car, like a box at a conventional theatre comfy and prestigious."
With four large screens, the drive-in theatre accommodates more than 500 vehicles. Each day, there are about 100 cars. "Most of them are young lovers," says cinema manager Gu Haiqiong. "Our drive-in really caters to their need for a cozy and private environment."
Others like to travel by car during their holidays. Wang Min, a businessman in his 40s, once drove 3,436 kilometres from Chengdu of Southwest China's Sichuan Province to Harbin of Heilongjiang in the Northeast.
"Sitting behind the wheel, your body, your spirit feels like they're flying, and you have control of everything except the toll fee. That's a little steep."
Wang said it cost him about 600 yuan (US$75) to travel from Beijing to Weihai, a tourist resort 967 kilometres southeast of the capital.
A must for marriage?
While cars began to become a part of life for many common Chinese into 1990s, a ride inside a luxury car at his or her wedding ceremony when the Chinese bridgegroom traditionally collected the bride from her family home for the ceremony has become a trend and been getting more popular, according to wedding planners.
"People believe that it is the most important day in one's life, so they want to make it as luxurious as they can," says Qi Xin, 33, manager of Xi Jiaojiao wedding company in Beijing.
Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz and Audi A6 are the top flavours for the day. A Lincoln costs about 5,000-8,000 yuan (US$625-1,000) a day, and a motorcade with 10 cars costs at least 10,000 yuan (US$1,250).
For some women, their husband-to-be must have a car. "A car proves a man's success in his career, suggesting he has gained some economic power. I don't want to have a fight with my husband over money, " says Wang Sichen, a 24-year-old Beijing white-collar worker.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the watch symbolized the height of luxury to many urban Chinese, sometimes costing a whole year's salary. Those who finally bought one would often push up their sleeves from time to time, hoping others would take notice.
Watches these days are no longer flaunted, and now it seems everybody is reaching for the steering wheel.
"The car is like yesterday's watch. More and more people buy cars not to simply show off, but to improve their quality of life," says Shen Zhong, a 52-year-old Beijing accountant.
Children of the next generation are already becoming indoctrinated into the new China car culture.
Li Yiding, 6, has pretty much grown up with a car. "I tell Mom to fasten seatbelt when she drives. I can help her watch the road conditions. I can identify many cars BMW, Benz, QQ and Renault, " says the boy.
The article has been published in China Daily on September 2nd.
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