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Electronic Social Security Card Introduced in Shanghai
In most Chinese cities, you may need to carry numerous documents if you wish to apply for a new job, reimburse your medical bill from insurers, or pay your home loan, but if you live in Shanghai, all you need is a social security card.
The social security card is made with an integrated circuit that records the holders' personal information and can be used as an electronic credential and for inquiry.
Shanghai officials called the card an important part of the city's efforts to build an "electronic government."
Its information comes from and can be checked by three systems: an information switchboard at the city level and a shared basic information databank; the information systems of social security, police, medical insurance, public housing funds and other authorities; and a service network covering the whole city.
Official statistics show that over 4.8 million citizens have applied for the card, and 1.6 million cards have been distributed.
To ensure the quality of service for cardholders, the Shanghai municipal government recently issued regulations on the management of the cards and the information systems.
The government hopes that by 2003, most citizens will be using the card. By then, the card should be more widely applicable, such as for getting driving licenses or passports, or even for marriage registration.
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