ENG-2020 — Page 338

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Population and Immigration

Except those who are required to obtain Certificates of Entitlement, people who are claiming right of abode in the HKSAR must apply to verify their eligibility for a permanent identity card. During the year, 55,799 applications were approved.

Smart Identity Cards

The smart identity card is highly fraud-resistant. It uses fingerprint recognition technology to authenticate the cardholder's identity and enables self-service immigration clearance via e-Channels.

In 2018, the department started issuing a new form of smart identity card with enhanced security features and chip technology that provide better protection of personal data and against counterfeiting. An improved contactless chip interface enables faster clearance at e-Channels.

A phased replacement of all existing smart identity cards began in 2018, and 1,137,868 new smart identity cards were issued by the department in 2020.

Nationality Matters

The department is authorised by the Central People's Government to handle Chinese nationality applications from Hong Kong residents. In 2020, there were 209 declarations of change of nationality, 756 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 299 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and four applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Outside Hong Kong

The department's Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit 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, overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, foreign consulates in Hong Kong, HKSAR Government offices outside Hong Kong and other government departments to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong. A 24-hour hotline provides emergency assistance. The unit handled 18,511 assistance requests in 2020, mainly from residents outside Hong Kong who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marriages

Marriage registration 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 but neither party can be under the age of 16.

The Registrar of Marriages should be given at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage, which must then take place within three months of the notice. Couples may marry at any of the five marriage registries or 272 licensed places of worship, or engage a civil celebrant to celebrate their marriage at any place in Hong Kong other than the marriage registries and

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