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"Existing identity (ID) card holders who were born in 1968 or 1969 are reminded to apply for the new smart ID cards from September 15 to November 15, 2003 at one of the Smart ID Card Centres under the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise," a spokesman for the Immigration Department said today (September 8).

The Smart ID Card Centres are open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 9.15pm, and close on Sunday and public holidays.

"All eligible applicants should bring along their existing ID cards. If their ID cards do not bear the 'A', '***' or 'R' symbols, they should also bring along their travel documents showing their current residential status in Hong Kong," the spokesman added.

It will normally take 10 working days for the issue of smart ID cards. The old identity card will be withdrawn for cancellation when the new one is issued.

Appointments can be booked by telephone 1838 333, or via the ESDlife website www.esd.gov.hk, or at any ESD kiosk.

"Only people born in 1968 or 1969 are eligible to apply during the call-up period. The Smart ID Card Centres will only deal with applications arising from the territory-wide ID Card Replacement Exercise. Applications not related to the exercise will continue to be dealt with at the Registration of Persons Offices," the spokesman said.

Details of the territory-wide ID Card Replacement Exercise are contained in the information leaflet, "Hong Kong Smart Identity Card Replacement Exercise", which can be obtained from the Immigration Headquarters and other branch offices, HKPost Offices, District Offices and public libraries.

For further information on the territory-wide ID Card Replacement Exercise, please telephone the Immigration Department at 2824 6111, by fax 2877 7711 or see the website www.smartid.gov.hk.

End/Monday, September 8, 2003

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