ENG-2005 — Page 502

436 | Population and Immigration

between 1943 and 1977 to apply for new identity cards within specified periods at any one of the nine Smart Identity Card Centres. By the end of 2005, a cumulative total of 3 338 401 smart identity cards were issued under the replacement exercise.

Nationality Matters

The Immigration Department is authorised by the Central People's Government to handle Chinese nationality applications from Hong Kong residents. Applications can be made either by post or in person. Overseas applications can be made through the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular missions. Under the law, Hong Kong residents of Chinese descent born in Chinese territories (including Hong Kong) are Chinese nationals, regardless of whether they hold a foreign passport. Those who want to be treated as foreign nationals in the HKSAR must make a declaration of change of nationality to the Immigration Department. During the year, the Immigration Department received 49 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 1 719 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 74 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and six applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Outside Hong Kong

The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department works closely with the Security Bureau, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in overseas countries and the Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong. During the year, 4 201 requests were handled.

To enhance the service rendered to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong, the Immigration Department has introduced a four-digit, easy-to-remember hotline number 1868 with effect from August 15.

Marriages

Marriage registration in Hong Kong is governed by the Marriage Ordinance. All marriages contracted under the ordinance involve the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. There is no residential or nationality requirement for marrying parties but neither can be under the age of 16 years.

Normally, the Registrar of Marriages should be given at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage and the marriage must take place within three months from the date of giving the notice. A marriage can take place in one of the five marriage registries, or any of the 255 licensed places of public worship. In 2005, 40 339 marriages were celebrated in the marriage registries and 2 624 in licensed places of public worship.

An appointment to give notice of marriage can be booked through the Internet under the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme or the Interactive Voice Response System. During the year, over 99 per cent of the parties who filed their marriage