China Resumes Issuing Robotaxi Licenses, Boosting Stocks of Baidu and Peers
N.R. Finch
China has resumed issuing robotaxi operating permits after a freeze dating to April; Baidu's Hong Kong shares rose as much as 4.1%, with Pony AI and WeRide also climbing — clearing the key policy hurdle for the sector's return to expansion.
Why did the freeze end now?
In March, over 100 Baidu Apollo Go robotaxis lost connectivity simultaneously in Wuhan, prompting the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to order an industry-wide safety review and halt new permits.
Sources say the review wrapped up by late June, and permits are now being restored city by city.
This means → regulators consider the safety sweep complete and have switched the industry signal from "stop" back to "go."
Who got the first new permits — and where?
One of the first new permits went to Momenta Global, authorizing robotaxi trials in Shenzhen; the company's shares rose on the announcement.
Shenzhen has revised its connected-vehicle regulations, exploring a city-wide opening for robotaxis and lowering market-entry barriers.
In plain terms = Shenzhen didn't just hand out one permit — it is rewriting the rules to let more companies in more easily.
Are Baidu's cars back on the road in Wuhan?
Since early July, Wuhan residents have posted videos showing Apollo Go vehicles back on city streets, some with safety drivers aboard.
The safety review had previously forced hundreds of Baidu robotaxis off Wuhan's roads.
This means → even the city where the incident occurred is gradually lifting restrictions — the clearest sign that regulators' confidence is returning.
How did the market react?
Baidu's Hong Kong-listed shares gained as much as 4.1% intraday; Pony AI and WeRide rose in tandem.
Momenta's stock also climbed after it disclosed the Shenzhen permit.
In plain terms = the market read "permits resumed" as "the industry can run again," and money flowed first to the most directly affected names.
What bigger policy moves are behind this?
Beijing is drafting dedicated legislation for advanced autonomous driving, covering vehicle safety, quality, and AI technology standards.
Globally, Baidu, Pony AI, and WeRide are competing with Alphabet's Waymo for robotaxi share outside China.
Chinese players hold an edge in lower costs and faster scaling, thanks to the country's mature EV supply chain.
This reflects a broader pattern: resuming permits is not just "making up for the pause" — it is part of China's deliberate acceleration in the autonomous-driving race.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.