China launches digital exit-entry permit to HK, Macao
CRI, September 16, 2014 Adjust font size:
China has officially issued a digital smart card to replace the old paper permits for those commuting between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao on September 15, 2014, the Legal Evening News reports.
Similar in size to an ID card, the new permit has an integrated circuit chip containing relevant information about the card holder.
The e-permit enables holders to use the e-Channel service with fingerprint verification, which improves efficiency in issuing documents and official inspection at the checkpoints.
The e-permit's period of validity for adult citizens has also been extended from the current five years to ten.
As special administrative regions of The People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macao have maintained their own border controls after their return to the Chinese mainland in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
