Elon Musk is leaving China with exactly what he was looking for — permissions to deploy his FSD feature in China, and a possible deal with Baidu, to leverage its AI in the country.

Already in a partnership with Baidu, the Chinese technology giant EV-makers Tesla is expanding the scope of its partnership and will now start working on mapping and navigation functions for the EV’s FSD services in China, according to a Bloomberg report.

The collaboration will enable Tesla to introduce its autonomous driving services in China, by using Baidu’s lane-level navigation and mapping services. Baidu’s geo services are the equivalent of Google Maps in China

Under the agreement, Baidu will supply its lane-level navigation system to Tesla, marking a significant step forward in their partnership.

In China, companies like Tesla must obtain mapping qualifications for intelligent driving systems before they can operate on public roads. Foreign companies also need to collaborate with local firms that hold the necessary licenses. Baidu is among a select group of about 20 qualified suppliers with crucial modules for self-driving capabilities.

The partnership with Baidu underscores Tesla’s efforts to enhance its mapping capabilities for more advanced self-driving features. The move is part of Musk’s strategy to address concerns over revenue decline and boost the company’s presence in China.

While Tesla’s suite of features requires constant supervision and does not make vehicles fully autonomous, customers in the US can purchase FSD outright for $8,000 or subscribe for $99 per month.

Moreover, Tesla has cleared a crucial data security and privacy requirement in China, as confirmed by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. This achievement is expected to alleviate concerns regarding Tesla’s data security issues in the country.

Tesla’s collaboration with Baidu dates back to 2020 when the automaker switched to Baidu for in-car mapping and navigation in China. The expanded partnership aims to further strengthen Tesla’s mapping capabilities for its self-driving technology.

Representatives for Tesla and Baidu have yet to comment on the recent developments, including the ownership of collected data.

While Baidu’s recent announcement did not specifically mention the FSD feature, the company’s ongoing collaborations with various partners, including Tesla, signal promising advancements in the field of autonomous driving in China.

Elon Musk was supposed to visit India earlier this month. However, he cancelled at the last moment, citing some urgency with his dealings on behalf of Tesla. During his visit, it was speculated that he would announce the location of Tesla’s upcoming factory in India, along with its official launch along with SpaceX.