Russian diplomat Oleg shows his temporary driving permit at the Motor Vehicle Driver Test Center on Nov 12. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Oleg, an official with the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin, recently achieved a first – when he received a temporary driver's permit on Nov 12 after learning China's traffic rules and presenting a Russian driver’s license to the city’s Motor Vehicle Driver Test Center.

“According to the Chinese Road Safety Law and related regulations, foreigners are required to undergo physical examinations and traffic tests in exchange for official Chinese driving licenses,” said Wang Hui, a staff member at the Harbin test center.

In order to allow consular officials to drive in China more quickly, the Harbin authority decided to issue Chinese temporary driver’s licenses to them, which simplifies the license renewal procedures.

Oleg is the first diplomatic consular official in Harbin to use the overseas driver's license renewal service.

Officials said It was recently launched to provide convenience for diplomats working for the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin – the first consular institution established by foreign countries in Harbin after China’s reform and opening-up.

At the end of this August, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a consular certificate to the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Harbin. Since then, Russian consular officials arrived in Harbin in succession and began to perform consular duties.

Yang Tao, director of the consular and exit administration department at the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Harbin, said the simplified license renewal service would better serve  diplomats working in Harbin.

It is expected to help promote exchanges and cooperation between Heilongjiang province and Russia in the fields of economy, trade and humanities.

Meanwhile, the recipient of the first license is happy with the outcome. “Harbin is a developed and modern international city; I love working and living here,” Oleg said.

Oleg said he made a trip to Harbin many years ago and was immediately impressed by the Russian style buildings in the city.
  Oleg (center), an official at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin, studies China’s traffic rules. He was at the Motor Vehicle Driver Test Center in Harbin on Nov 12. [Photo/chinanews.com]