- A Rare Honour for the Prime Minister
- Beijing Accords Rare Privilege with Flagship Limousine Reserved for Communist Party Elite.
Article Today, China:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in China’s Hongqi L5 limousine during his visit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The Chinese government extended the rare gesture by providing him with the car usually reserved for senior Communist Party leaders and select foreign dignitaries. President Xi Jinping himself uses the Hongqi L5 for state occasions, and during his 2019 visit to India he arrived in the same vehicle.
The Red Flag Legacy
The word Hongqi translates as “Red Flag” in Mandarin, reflecting its symbolic connection to the Communist Party. Produced by the state-owned First Automobile Works Group, the car is regarded as the most prestigious of all Chinese-made vehicles. Initially introduced in the 1950s for Party leaders, production halted for a period but resumed in the 1990s. Today, the L5 stands as the most expensive and high-status automobile manufactured in China.
Powerful Performance and Design
The limousine is equipped with a six-litre V12 engine capable of generating nearly 400 horsepower. It accelerates from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in about 8.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 kilometres per hour. At 5.5 metres in length and weighing nearly three tonnes, the vehicle resembles a moving palace on wheels. Its interiors feature wide seats with massage, ventilation, and heating options. Large entertainment screens are also provided for passengers.
Security Features Comparable to The Beast
While the L5 itself carries advanced safety technology such as all-wheel drive, 360-degree cameras, and automatic speed control, another Hongqi model, the N701, is used for public appearances by President Xi. This version is said to rival the American presidential vehicle, “The Beast.” It reportedly includes bulletproof glass, bomb-resistant armour, and secure communications systems, though its exact specifications remain classified.
Symbol of National Pride
The Hongqi L5 is priced at approximately Rs. 7 crore, making it the costliest Chinese-made car. Beyond luxury, it represents the country’s technological capability and political identity. The Red Flag design reflects the pride of the Communist Party and the cultural symbolism attached to domestic products. By travelling in the Hongqi L5, Prime Minister Modi not only received an honour extended to few foreign leaders but also witnessed a demonstration of China’s national prestige and diplomatic courtesy.
