More than 72 percent of Chinese residents now possess social security cards, after China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) issued the 1 billionth card on May 25.

According to the ministry, China's first social security card was issued in 1999. Now, China is only 18 percent away from its goal set in the 13th Five-Year Plan of a 90 percent coverage for social security cards.

In recent years, the functions of Chinese social security cards have been greatly expanded to include electronic certificates, information records, fee payments, welfare claims and other services. Already, the immediate settlement of medical bills has been realized in over 90 percent of Chinese cities, and MHRSS is steadily promoting the immediate settlement of cross-provincial hospital charges.

The cards in many regions are now able to be used for civil affairs, health, family planning, housing funds, services for the disabled and agricultural subsidies. In addition, third-generation cards with a non-contact function are being tested in pilot areas.

In the future, the functions of social security cards will be further expanded, enabling citizens to take care of wide-ranging business through a mobile application.