HK government spends HKD54.6 million to change new smart ID cards featured better security functions

The Hong Kong government revealed the new design of smart identity card on Wednesday and boasted security functions to prevent fabricating. 

The new smart ID card is pink and light blue with light green colours. The photo of the cardholder moved from now the right to left and the 3D laser image placed on the right instead. The cards have expanded storage for saving a higher-resolution photo with facial recognition technology. 

Photo via legco.gov.hk

Photo via legco.gov.hk

Besides, a new see-through window with the ID card number is above the personal information. The pictures of the Hong Kong skyline will appear when it is examined by UV lights.

Photo via legco.gov.hk

According to the latest Legislative Council papers by the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department features new security functions to enhance stronger protection against photo substitution and counterfeiting. 

A hologram with waves and 3D effects and multiple-pattern background will be shown on the cards. Other security features include rainbow printing, microprinted text, and ink with optically variable properties. 

Photo via legco.gov.hk

Also, the new system uses internal radio frequency identification, or RFID, transmission technology to improve security and speeds of information retrieving. The cards can connect with wireless technology to provide for alternative biometric authentication instead of fingerprint verification. 

The government spent HKD54.6 million (USD7 million) this financial to change 8.8 million existing cards of a few types. The first round of the replacement expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Photo via legco.gov.hk

Photo via legco.gov.hk

While the smart ID card project has held over three years, residents have different comments towards the new cards.

Some people think that the new design was clearer and believe the card protection would be better but some think there are no big differences between the old and new one.

The existing smart ID card issued between 2003 and 2007 while many criticisms were given for the old cards when it released, for examples, the e-ID functions of the cards are not that popular as expected and cost residents to activates the accounts. 

Online photo

So can the new Hong Kong smart ID card win the hearts of the residents? Let's see!

Hong Kong was ranked fifth by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in its World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, up two places from last year. The findings continued to recognise Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world.

Among the four competitiveness factors, Hong Kong’s ranking in government efficiency stayed high among the top three. The city's rankings in business efficiency and infrastructure rose notably and came within the top 10 globally. Its ranking in economic performance saw significant improvement, reflecting the economic recovery in 2023.

Image source facebook.

As regards the sub-factors, Hong Kong topped the rankings in international trade and business legislation, and was among the global top five in tax policy, international investment, basic infrastructure, finance and education.

Under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world, and is the only city that combines Chinese advantages and international advantages. Hong Kong will continue to perform its roles and functions as a super-connector and a super value-adder, and proactively integrate into the overall national development and align with national development strategies.