Michelle Yeoh signs the Decade pledge
Global Road Safety Ambassador Michelle Yeoh has joined senior policymakers in Beijing to launch China’s Decade of Action.
Michelle Yeoh participated in two key events, a launch hosted by the Ministry of Health and an event supported by ITS China and the Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC). At the Government launch, Michelle joined the Vice Minister of Health, the Country Director of the World Bank, the WHO Country Director and a number of national agencies and federations to unveil the Tag symbol. Michelle Yeoh said: “We need an important country like China to continue to reduce its road casualties if we are to succeed in achieving the global goal of the Decade. I strongly believe that this global Decade of Action can also be China's decade of progress in road safety, the opportunity to define, shape and deliver a ‘Safe Systems’ approach to safety on China’s roads for the decades ahead”.
Michelle Yeoh then attended a launch event on vehicle safety organised by ITS China and FASC. This event focused on the potential of both active and passive safety to deliver injury reductions as China’s vehicle fleet grows. Michelle joined the Vice President of FASC Mr Jan Jianching, the Deputy Secretary General of ITS China, Mr Zhang Jinhua and Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation Saul Billingsley in signing a pledge for action for the Decade of Action. She then participated in a active safety vehicle demonstration, as Chinese racing star Lu Ningjun took her for a spin on the test track, demonstrating the safety benefits of electronic stability control.
Michelle Yeoh urged the participants to take specific action for safety: “In China, while more than half of new cars have ABS, fewer than 5 per cent have ESC. China could make a strong early commitment to the Decade of Action by setting a date for compulsory stability control fitment. But the market and consumer awareness can also accelerate introduction of this life-saving technology. I have been pleased to have the opportunity to work with ITS China and the international E-Safety Aware campaign to raise this awareness. We have to get the message out to consumers: “when you are buying a new car - Choose ESC”, she said.