China launches revamped ‘green cards’ for foreigners
New card will have chip embedded so it can be used for tasks such as buying air tickets and is part of efforts to lure more overseas talent to the mainland
China will replace green cards issued to foreigners with “smart card” versions beginning in July as part of the government’s push to improve its imported talent scheme, state media reported.
Under the new directive from the Ministry of Public Security, which is in charge of residence affairs in China, holders of foreigners’ permanent residence cards can apply to renew the current permits with a new one embedded with a readable chip that contains identity information, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The card can be swiped at various government agencies and institutions, making it easier and faster for foreigners to carry out tasks such as buying train tickets, Xinhua cited an unnamed ministry official as saying.
To ensure the new system is implemented without a glitch, training will be carried out by the end of June for staff at government agencies as well as railways, airports, banks, insurance companies and hotels, the official told Xinhua.
The introduction of the new green card is part of efforts by government leaders, including President Xi Jinping, to clear the path for skilled foreigners to settle in China.
In the 10 years after 2004 when the green card scheme was introduced, 7,356 foreigners have been granted permanent residency, even though some 600,000 foreigners were estimated to have lived in China. The number of cards issued has risen recently, with 1,576 foreigners approved for permanent residency last year, 163 per cent more than in 2015.
