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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, today (August 18) visited the Immigration Department on the first day of the Hong Kong Smart Identity (ID) Card Replacement Exercise.
First stop for Mr Tsang was the Card Personalisation Centre, where personal data is engraved onto the card face and embedded into the new 'smart' chip.
He then visited the Key Management Authority, which generates the keys to authenticate the approved applications loaded onto the chip.
The visit ended with a tour to the Computer Hall, the central monitoring station for the computer system serving the nine Smart ID Card Centres and the five Registration of Persons Offices.
"I was very impressed by department's initiative to use state-of-the-art technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity," said Mr Tsang.
"I was also very interested to learn about the stringent measures that have been taken to protect the security and privacy of personal data embedded on the new ID card's smart chip."
Mr Tsang paid tribute to the hard work of Immigration Department staff, who carried out their duties with dedication and professionalism.
"Our Immigration Officers often work under quite serious pressure, particularly during busy holiday period, but they continue to carry out their duties in a courteous and efficient manner."
"During the course of my official duties I have often traveled abroad and I can say that our Immigration Officers are amongst the most efficient and professional in the world."
The first phase of the Smart ID card replacement exercise is now open to Chief Executive, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, Principal Officials, members of the Immigration Service and Police Force, and labour inspectors. Mr Tsang also applied for replacement of his Identity Card today.
Phase 2, which runs from September 15 to November 15, 2003, will apply to ID card holders born in 1968 or 1969.
Members of the public are advised to keep an eye out for more detailed announcements to be made shortly through the media.
End/Monday, August 18, 2003
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