Footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official limousine being transported through New Delhi wrapped in a large black protective cover went viral on social media this week, sparking widespread curiosity ahead of his arrival for the 18th BRICS Summit. Security experts and reports on the ground say the covering was a routine logistical measure rather than anything unusual, though it briefly turned the Chinese leader’s state vehicle into one of the most talked-about details of his visit.
BRICS Summit 2026 Live Latest Update: What Happened With Xi’s Limousine In Delhi?
A day before Xi’s arrival in the Indian capital on Saturday, images and videos circulated online showing his convoy vehicles being driven through Delhi’s streets covered in heavy black tarpaulin, drawing widespread attention and speculation. Notably, once Xi’s motorcade actually moved through the city following his arrival, the vehicle was no longer covered, with the wrap used only during the earlier logistical transport of the car rather than during the president’s own movements.
BRICS Summit 2026 Live Latest Update: What Is Hongqi N701?
The vehicle at the centre of the attention is the Hongqi N701, the heavily protected state limousine used exclusively by China’s top leadership on official visits. Built by Hongqi, meaning Red Flag, a marque of the state-owned First Automotive Works, the car traces its lineage back to 1958, when it was first developed as the official vehicle for Chinese Communist Party leadership.
Estimated at around 5.5 metres long, the N701 is reported to feature bullet-resistant protection and a reinforced body structure, though many of its technical specifications have never been officially confirmed by Chinese authorities.
China has preferred using domestically built vehicles for its top leaders on foreign trips since 2012, when Xi directed party leadership to favour locally manufactured cars, and the Hongqi has accompanied him on previous visits, including his 2019 informal summit in Chennai.
BRICS Summit 2026 Live Latest Update: Why Was Xi’s Car Covered In Black?
According to reports citing security sources, covering high-value state vehicles during international transport is common practice followed by many countries, intended to protect the vehicle from dust, weather conditions and accidental damage while in transit, as well as to limit public exposure of its design and features ahead of official use.
The N701 and a backup vehicle, along with approved communication equipment, were flown into India ahead of Xi’s arrival, with some equipment and heavier gear remaining subject to Indian customs and security protocols before being released for use during the visit.
BRICS Summit 2026 Live Latest Update: How Does It Compare To The US President’s ‘Beast’?
The attention on Xi’s limousine has inevitably drawn comparisons to The Beast, the armoured vehicle that carries the US President, which reportedly offers similar levels of protection.
The Beast is known to carry supplies of blood matching the president’s blood type for medical emergencies, along with a hermetically sealed cabin designed to guard against chemical attack, run-flat tyres, night-vision equipment and anti-ambush measures including smoke screens and oil slick deployment.
Its armour is reported to combine aluminium, ceramic and steel.
Whether the Hongqi N701 matches that level of integration remains unconfirmed, though its presence in Delhi has renewed interest in China’s own approach to leadership security.
BRICS Summit 2026 Live Latest Update: What Other Security Measures Are In Place For Xi’s Visit?
Beyond the limousine itself, India has mounted what officials describe as an unprecedented, multi-layered security operation for Xi’s roughly 24-hour visit, covering everything from drone activity and protests to lone-wolf and sabotage threats.
Xi is reported to be staying on the fifth floor of a central Delhi hotel, with roughly 400 people from China, including his delegation and accompanying officials, travelling with him.
Chinese security personnel have brought their own equipment for the visit, coordinating with Indian agencies on arrangements in and around his accommodation, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs has worked with Delhi Police to intensify surveillance around hotels, roads, rooftops and other sensitive locations along his expected route, ensuring his movements through the capital remain secure throughout his stay.
