Mainland to validate HK, Macao residents' exit-entry documents for public services

BEIJING -- Residents of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao will be able to enjoy public and wellbeing services on the mainland from October just using their exit-entry documents, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

The validation will come as a result of a unified national service platform for the identity authentication of exit-entry documents, which has been established by the administration, the NIA said at a press conference held Thursday.

The services will cover more than 30 categories, including social security, industry and commerce, taxation, hospital registration, insurance purchases and application for exams, public transport, finance and communication.

Currently, Hong Kong and Macao residents cannot register online for social affairs in the mainland with their exit-entry documents, and usually have to hand in a lot of evidentiary documents and go through long procedures for public services.

The validation will help solve these problems, and will effectively prevent lawbreakers from using fake information or forged documents to apply for social services, an official with the NIA said.

Facilitating the use of exit-entry documents is a major approach of the NIA to serve the country's opening-up policy, support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and push forward the reform of "Internet Plus Government Services initiative," and will improve Hong Kong and Macao residents' sense of fulfillment, happiness and security, the official said.