(Yicai) Sept. 19 -- China has issued a draft document requiring all vehicles to be equipped with wireless radio to ensure drivers receive real-time alerts on natural disasters.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology began soliciting opinions yesterday on the draft mandatory national standard for in-vehicle wireless radio receiving systems. The deadline for feedback is Oct. 25.

Traditional wireless radio receivers have been left out of some new car models amid the shift to new energy vehicles and smart cars that have advanced communication systems, such as the Internet of Vehicles, which prioritize digital and internet-based infotainment systems over radio.

But radio remains one of the most reliable means of communication during emergencies, particularly natural disasters, where internet-based communication could fail due to infrastructure damage or power outages.

Radio has a unique advantage in getting alerts to drivers on natural disasters, including earthquakes and landslides, and other safety information, the ministry said in the document.

This is because FM radio broadcast towers can cover more than 100 kilometers, while medium-wave radio stations can cover distances in excess of 1,000 km, making it unlikely for drivers to find themselves in a blind spot.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Futura Costaglione