A type of courtesy card that has been designed to help Beijing senior citizens to enjoy free services was unveiled by Beijing's city Bureau of Civil Affairs on Wednesday morning.

The card that favors Beijing seniors has two versions, one is red, for those over 65 and another, blue, for those below 65, noted Guo Xusheng, spokesman of the bureau.

Both will include on them a holder's name, address and ID number. Concise personal information can also be made available through the bar code on their bottom when accessed through computer.

From 2009, seniors in Beijing with a red card will be able to take buses, visit parks, and go sightseeing for free. Those between 90 and 99 will also receive a monthly additional allowance of 100 yuan (US$14.66), and those over 100 with 200 yuan.

Over 1 million senior citizens over 65 in Beijing have submitted applications for such cards, all of which will be issued by next month.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 27, 2008)