BEIJING/TOKYO -- The protracted trade standoff with the U.S. has driven China closer to Japan for developing self-driving vehicles, with the possibility of Washington ending technological cooperation figuring into Beijing's calculation.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers signed a memorandum of understanding in Tokyo on Friday to cooperate on setting international standards for self-driving technology. The partnership initially will focus on control mechanisms and telecommunications protocols.