Elon Musk made significant strides towards implementing Tesla's advanced driver-assistance package in China during a whirlwind trip to Beijing over the weekend. The visit saw Tesla's shares surge more than 16% on Monday, reflecting Wall Street's confidence in the electric vehicle maker's future prospects despite challenges in demand and competition. While Tesla's stock received a substantial boost, key questions remain regarding the company's ability to obtain government approvals for transferring data overseas, which is crucial for its development of autonomous vehicles. During Musk's visit, notable achievements included an endorsement from a top Chinese auto association confirming compliance of Tesla's Model 3 and Y cars with data-security regulations. This endorsement paves the way for Tesla to expand its presence in previously restricted areas of China, potentially unlocking new markets for the company. Additionally, Tesla reached an agreement with Baidu to utilize the Chinese giant's mapping license for data collection on public roads in China, a crucial step towards the rollout of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in the country. Despite these positive developments, the question of securing Beijing's approvals for data transfer remains paramount for Tesla's FSD ambitions in China and globally. Without the ability to transfer data collected by its cars in China overseas, Tesla's efforts to develop autonomous vehicles for a global customer base could be severely hindered. Tesla's pivot towards prioritizing self-driving technology comes amid recent strategic shifts, including the abandonment of plans for a next-generation affordable car and the prioritization of efforts to develop self-driving cars over mass-market electric vehicles. The success of Musk's visit hinges on his ability to secure approval for data transfer, a development that could mark a significant milestone for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions. Chinese regulators' requirements for data storage and Tesla's challenges in accessing certain sites due to security concerns and political events add complexity to the company's operations in China. Despite competition from local automakers and suppliers, Tesla's advancements in self-driving technology are poised to reshape the automotive landscape in China and beyond. Musk's visit underscores Tesla's commitment to innovation and its determination to lead the way in the development of autonomous vehicles.