China to store all foreigners’ fingerprints upon entry – with new rule starting in Shenzhen

HONG KONG — Foreigners will have to leave their fingerprints when they enter China this year to improve border checks, with the new rule to be gradually implemented across the country starting from Friday (Feb 10).

The Ministry of Public Security said on its website on Thursday that the move would see all foreigners aged between 14 and 70 asked to leave their fingerprints upon entry into China and the information would then stored for official use.

The new regulation will be rolled out gradually at all entry points across the country, starting with Shenzhen Baoan International Airport from Friday.

Foreigners who hold diplomatic passports and visas will not have to give their fingerprints.

“Storing biological identification information of people entering and leaving borders is an important border control measure, and many countries have started to implement the regulation,” the ministry’s statement said.

China’s border control authority would try to improve efficiency after the new regulation was implemented, it added.

Other countries that already collect foreigners’ fingerprints include the United States, France and Japan. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST