ENG-2008 — Page 486

410 | Population and Immigration

Smart Identity Card

The Immigration Department introduced the smart identity card for Hong Kong residents in June 2003. The card employs state-of-the-art technologies and is highly fraud-resistant. The cardholder's personal particulars are engraved on the card by laser, and templates of the holder's thumbprints and facial image are stored in a chip embedded in the card and protected by sophisticated cryptographic techniques. The smart identity cards enable the Immigration Department to use the fingerprint recognition technology to authenticate the cardholders' identity by automated means quickly and enable cardholders to enjoy the convenience of self-service immigration clearance via the e-Channels. In 2008, a total of 576 732 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 mission. Chinese nationals of the HKSAR 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 65 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 1 541 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 94 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and eight 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, the 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, 2 315 such requests were handled.

The great majority of these requests relate to the closure of the international airport in Bangkok in late November/early December 2008, which affected a large number of travellers including many Hong Kong residents. The Government is reviewing the mechanism to assist Hong Kong residents overseas, in the light of the experience gained from this incident.

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