China to issue hi-tech passports for enhanced security
04 May 2012
China will introduce a new type of passport incorporating an electronic chip containing a record of cardholder's personal information.
The new passports would be identical to the conventional types but a chip containing information like the cardholder's name, his date of birth, photograph and finger prints would be installed in them, according to a statement by the ministry of public security.
The new passports that have been under preparation for the past three years would be issued from 15 May.
The move would help enhance security of identity of passport holders as they would come with more rigid anti-counterfeiting technologies such as special printing ink, laser signs, holographic film and digital signatures, the statement added.
It further added that strict protection measures would be imposed on the reading of the data, especially finger prints, to ensure the safety of digital information contained in the passport chips.
It added that finger print data could be extracted only through decoding devices used by China's border control authorities and police.
