China Issues New Rules on Residence, Driving, Passport Application

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 08, 2003

China Issues New Rules on Residence, Driving, Passport Application

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chinese citizens will enjoy more convenience and freedom in residence registry, driving and passport application, thanks to a series of measures introduced Thursday by China's Ministry of Public Security.

China has, for a long time, practiced strict administration on residence registry. The new measures, effective from Thursday, are expected to encourage university graduates to live and work in underdeveloped western China, giving them the choice of registering their residence either in the region where they work or in their original domicile.

China will ease household registration rules in its vast western areas to encourage university graduates and investors to migrate and invest there, said Vice-Public Security Minister Bai Jingfu at a press conference.

According to the new measures, college graduates and investors can either transfer their registered place of residence to the western regions where they are working or back to their original domicile.

Senior professionals who have registered their residence in large or medium-sized cities and decide to work in small towns or rural areas may retain their urban residence registration.

Since China adopted its reform and opening up policy, there has been a two-way population flow, Bai said. One is from rural areas to cities and the other is vice versa.

"It was wrong that the migrant workers from the countryside were fined, repatriated or detained in camps in the past,'' Bai said. "Migrant workers are also creators of social welfare in our country.''

The Ministry will conduct more research to deal with the restrictions on temporary residence rights of migrant people, he stressed.

Parents can choose to register their newborns in either the mother or father's place of residence, according to the announcement.

People who have been abroad for more than one year will also no longer have their registered residence cancelled, it said.

Bai said the government will make it easier for Chinese citizens in cities to obtain passports -- a process that for many still requires permission from employers and officials in their hometowns.

By the end of this year, the number of cities where residents can apply for passports at will is to expand from 25 to 100, accounting for one third of all Chinese cities, Bai said.

In another development, the ministry will also ease restrictions on travel to and study in Hong Kong and Macao by some mainland residents to boost tourism and trade.

Residents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong can visit Hong Kong and Macao as individuals, dropping a requirement for them to travel in groups, Bai said.

The new measures abolish the requirement for investors, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in western regions to re-register their residence. Those who have already re-registered may return their registration to their original home if they return to work or live.

Of the 30 changes announced, 17 involve traffic administration ranging from the issuance of driving licences and reform of licence plate management to simplification of vehicle registration.

Many senior or disabled people will be able to realize their dreams of driving with the new measures. According to the ministry's circular, the maximum age limit for people applying for driving licenses will be extended to 70 years from the current 60 years on Sept. 1.

Driving license holders who are above the age of 70 may continue driving if they pass an annual driving examination and physical check-up, the circular said.

The new measures also permit "persons with a disabled lower left limb" to take the examination and obtain driving licenses for small cars with automatic transmission.

In addition, Chinese residents will find it easier to apply for a passport. So far only residents in 25 big Chinese cities can apply for passports on proof of need, with ID cards and residence booklets. People in other cities still have to complete complicated paperwork when filing an application.

According to the new measures, the ministry will simplify passport application procedure in as many as 100 large and medium-sized cities by the end of this year.

Bai said the new measures are made based on suggestions from various social sectors and the ministry will continue to take suggestions to further improve services.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China Frees up Residency Rules to Allow Greater Mobility

DPRK's Kim Jong Il Elected Member of Parliament ( 2 Messages)

Main Party of China's First Euthanasia Lawsuit Dies ( 2 Messages)

For Whom Does Jackie Chan Feel Pity and Shed Tears? ( 5 Messages)

News Analysis: Bush's Political Fortune to Rise or Fall? ( 4 Messages)

Japan to Be Restored as China's Biggest Tourism Source ( 3 Messages)