China launches electronic passports

搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。

　　Meng Hongwei, vice¹ minister of public security, said at a launching ceremony for the passport that it was designed according to international standards, featuring anti-counterfeiting technology and "intelligent chips" that will bring greater convenience to passport holders².

　　The passports are expected to simplify border control procedures by allowing for easier identification.

　　The new passports have the same appearance as traditional ones, but also feature an inserted electronic chip that records the holder's name, date of birth, photo and fingerprints³, according to a previous statement issued by the Ministry⁴ of Public Security on May 3.

　　Holders of traditional passports will be able to continue using them as long as they remain valid⁵, the statement said.

　　The number of passports issued annually⁶ by China has increased sharply from 1 million in the mid-1990s to 10 million now, with an annual average growth of 20 percent. About 38 million Chinese hold passports.

　　Last year saw 20.3 million exits by Chinese residents, a significant increase from 4.73 million in 2000.

分享到：