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introduced in phases at vehicular control points since April 2005. It provides automated clearance for eligible cross-boundary drivers holding smart identity cards.

The territory-wide arrangement for replacing the old identity cards with the new smart cards is making good progress. By the end of 2006, a total of 4 859 673 smart identity cards were issued.

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 or not they hold foreign passports. 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 64 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 1 840 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 91 applications. for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 16 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, the Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong and other government departments to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong. During the year, 1 818 requests were handled.

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 of them 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. Before the introduction of the Civil Celebrants of Marriages Scheme, a marriage could only take place in one of the five marriage. registries, or any of the 257 licensed places of public worship. In 2006, 38 603 marriages were celebrated in the marriage registries and 2 865 in licensed places of public worship.

An appointment to give notice of marriage to the Registrar of Marriages can be made through the Internet under the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme or the

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