Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Identity Card Project



DateContextSummary of development Action
23.2.00 ESC ESC endorsed the proposed retention of one supernumerary Deputy Director post in the Immigration Department (ImmD) with effect from 19 April 2000 until 31 December 2000 to steer and monitor a feasibility study on introducing a new identity (ID) card and its new supporting computer system, and to start the related planning and preparatory work. [Paper]
3.3.00 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the feasibility study undertaken by ImmD on introducing a new ID card and a new computer system to support the issue of the ID card. The existing ID card was introduced in July 1987 and the computer system supporting the issue of ID cards (i.e. the Registration of Persons (ROP) System) was installed in 1982. With the passage of time, the design of the ID card as well as the ROP System had become aged and outdated. The Director of Immigration commissioned a feasibility study in November 1999 to examine and recommend options for the introduction of a new ID card and a new supporting computer system. The feasibility study was completed in May 2000. [Paper]
10.3.00 FC FC approved the recommendation of ESC made at the meeting on 23 February 2000 on the proposed retention of one supernumerary post of Deputy Director of Immigration until 31 December 2000. [Paper]
1.6.00 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the progress report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) ID Card Project, which gave a brief account of the key findings and recommendations made by the consultant in the draft feasibility study report submitted to the ImmD. [Paper]
24.10.00 SE The Panel discussed the proposed introduction of a new smart ID card with multi-application capacity in early 2003. [LegCo Brief] The Panel noted the Administration's proposed measures on the security and data privacy aspects of the proposed smart ID card. [Paper]
11.11.00 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the progress of the HKSAR ID Card Project, which provided information on the views of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on the measures to be adopted by the Government to protect data privacy of ID card holders [Paper]. In response to members' request at the Panel meeting held on 24 October 2000, the Administration provided information on the smart ID card projects of Finland, Malaysia and Taiwan for the Panel's consideration. [Paper]

The Panel was also provided with a broad overview of the essential changes to the relevant legislation (i.e. the ROP Ordinance and ROP Regulations (Cap. 177)) required for the introduction of a new smart ID card with multi-application capacity and the launching of a region-wide ID card replacement exercise. [Paper]

The Panel met deputations and received views from academics and other interested organisations on the proposed project.
22.11.00 ESC ESC endorsed the proposed retention of one supernumerary post of Deputy Director of Immigration (GDS(C)3) in the ImmD for a period of six month with effect from 1 January 2001 to lead and plan all necessary preparatory work for the introduction of a new generation of ID card and a new supporting computer system. [Paper]
6.12.00 CM A motion moved by Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing on smart ID card was negatived. [Motion] "page 80"
15.12.00 FC FC approved the recommendation of ESC made at its meeting on 22 November 2000 on the proposed retention of one supernumerary post of Deputy Director of Immigration for a period of six month with effect from 1 January 2001. [Paper]
18.1.01 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the initial views on the legislative amendments necessitated by the HKSAR ID Card Project. The paper provided a broad overview of the essential legislative changes as perceived by the Administration at that stage [Paper]. The Panel noted that the Administration intended to make a funding proposal to FC for the implementation of the Phase 1 HKSAR ID Card Project. [Paper] The Panel also discussed a paper on the results of the consultation campaign in respect of the project. [Paper]

As requested by members at the Panel meeting held on 11 November 2000, the Administration provided for the Panel's information a paper on the experience of other countries/places relating to their smart ID card projects and the usage of smart cards for other purposes. [Paper]
6.2.01 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the Administration's views on the various proposals in the initial Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) Report for the HKSAR ID Card Project. [Paper]

In response to members' concern expressed at the meeting held on 18 January 2001, the Administration provided a paper on the timing for making legislative amendments necessitated by the project and the legality of granting funding approval before enacting legislative amendments. [Paper]
14.2.01 SE The Panel held a special meeting to continue the discussion of issues relating to the implementation of the HKSAR ID Card Project.

In response to members' enquiries at the meeting, the Administration provided supplementary information on whether the right of abode of permanent ID card holders would be re-assessed during the region-wide ID card replacement exercise. [Follow-up Paper] The Panel also noted the supplementary information provided by the ImmD on the release of ROP data in large quantities in the three years prior to the enactment of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. [Follow-up Paper]
9.3.01 FC FC approved the creation of a new commitment of $747,037,000 for implementing the Phase 1 HKSAR ID Card Project. [Paper]
23.5.01 ESC ESC endorsed the proposed creation of two supernumerary posts, including one Deputy Director of Immigration (GDS(C)3) and one Chief Systems Manager (D1) in the ImmD for the period up to 31 October 2003 and an increase in the establishment ceiling in 2001-02 to $1,687,857,370 to facilitate the creation of 42 non-directorate posts for implementing the HKSAR ID Card Project. [Paper]
8.6.01 FC FC approved the recommendation of ESC made at its meeting on 23 May 2001. [Paper]
7.11.01 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the progress of the new ID card project, including tendering work, design of the card face and legislative amendments as necessitated by the introduction of the smart ID card. [Paper] The Panel noted the background paper on the subject prepared by the LegCo Secretariat. [Paper]

The Administration reported on the results of the tendering exercise for the implementation of the smart ID card and the new supporting computer system on 26 February 2002. [Follow-up Paper]

The Administration provided for the Panel's information a paper on the final design of the card face of the different versions of the HKSAR ID card on 23 September 2002. [Follow-up Paper]
20.12.01 SE,ITB The two Panels held a joint meeting to discuss the paper on the proposed non-immigration applications of the new smart ID card. The paper also addressed the privacy concerns that had been expressed. [Paper] [Power-point presentation]
9.1.02 CM The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Bill 2001 was introduced into the LegCo on 9 January 2002. [LegCo Brief] The Bill sought to provide for the issue of a new smart ID card with multi-application capacity. A Bills Committee was formed on 11 January 2002 to scrutinise the Bill. The Bill was passed at the Council meeting on 19 March 2003.

As requested by the members of the Bills Committee, the Administration provided supplementary information on smart ID cards to the SE Panel on 9 June 2003. [Follow-up Paper]
9.4.02 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the latest development of the HKSAR ID Card Project and the financial requirements of the Phase 2 implementation of the project. [Paper] The Panel noted the background paper on the project prepared by the LegCo Secretariat. [Paper]

In response to members' enquiries at the meeting, the Administration provided supplementary information on the maintenance cost of the smart ID card system and provision of Government records to the public. [Follow-up Paper]
10.5.02 FC FC approved a commitment to implement Phase 2 of the HKSAR ID Card Project, with an increase in the project commitment by $478,552,000 and in the establishment ceiling of the ImmD in 2002-03 by $39,006,240. [Paper]
10.7.02 SE The Panel discussed the paper on the latest development of the HKSAR ID Card Project and the findings and recommendations of the second PIA Report. [Paper] The Panel also examined the updated progress on the non-immigration applications for incorporation into the smart ID card and the details of how the applications would be effected. [Paper]

The Panel noted the background paper on the project prepared by the LegCo Secretariat. [Paper]
21.5.03 CM The Registration of Persons (Application for New Identity Cards) Order and Registration of Persons (Application for New Identity Cards) (Repeal) Order 2003 were tabled in Council on 21 May 2003. A subcommittee was formed on 23 May 2003 to examine the two subsidiary legislations. The orders were issued to direct certain categories of persons to apply for new ID cards within a specified period at smart ID card centres and to repeal orders issued for the last territory-wide replacement exercise. [Paper]
1.04 SE The Administration provided for the Panel's information the latest development of the HKSAR ID Card Project on 6 January 2004. [Paper]
2.6.04 CQ Dr Hon David LI raised a question on Smart Identity Card with Free e-Cert Digital Certificate. [Hansard "page 57"]
30.6.04 CQ Hon LAU Kong-wah raised a question on Forged Smart Identity Cards. [Hansard "page 117"]
7.04 SE The Administration provided for the Panel's information an updated progress report on the HKSAR ID Card Project on 5 July 2004. [Paper]
2.05 SE The Administration provided for the Panel's information an updated progress report on the HKSAR ID Card Project on 14 February 2005. [Paper]
2.3.05 CQ Hon LAU Kong-wah raised a question on Smart Hong Kong Identity Cards. [Hansard "page 51"]
14.12.05 CQ Hon Patrick LAU raised a question on Smart ID Card Readers Fail to Verify Fingerprints of Card Holders. [Hansard "page 7"]
1.11.06 CQ Hon LAU Kong-wah raised a question on Smart Identity Cards Replacement Exercise for Elderly. [Hansard "page 87"]
16.1.08 CQ Hon Frederick FUNG raised a question on the durability of smart identity cards. [Hansard "page 99"]
23.1.08 CQ Hon WONG Kwok-hing raised a question on the functions of smart identity cards. [Hansard "page 62"]
11.11.09 CQ Hon LAU Wong-fat raised a question on the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channels). [Hansard "page 100"]


Bills Committees on Registration of Persons (Amendment) Bill 2001 [Paper]

Subcommittee on Registration of Persons (Application for New Identity Cards) Order and Registration of Persons (Application for New Identity Cards) (Repeal) Order 2003 [Paper]

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