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"The Application Procedure for Pilot Project on Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates Issued by Hong Kong and Guangdong" was announced today (April 15) to facilitate the adoption of electronic signature certificates for cross-border services. Recognised Certificate Authorities (RCAs) in Guangdong and Hong Kong and their partners can start to submit applications.
According to the Application Procedure, RCAs of Hong Kong and Guangdong may proactively seek partners to jointly identify projects and submit entries for inclusion into the scope of the pilot project. Qualified projects identified by the Guangdong-Hong Kong Working Group on Pilot Applications of Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates will be granted Pilot Marks. The Application Procedure is promulgated under "The Suggestions on the Framework for the Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates Issued by Hong Kong and Guangdong" signed in June 2009.
A spokesman for the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) said: "The mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates (or digital certificates) by Hong Kong and Guangdong could help encourage secure transaction of electronic information and facilitate the rapid development of e-commerce in the two places."
The Department of Information Security Co-ordination of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province (formerly the Department of Information Industry of Guangdong Province) and the OGCIO jointly set up the Guangdong-Hong Kong Working Group on Pilot Applications of Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates in 2008. It aims to promote investment facilitation, enhance the security of electronic transactions, and take forward relevant measures stipulated under the Supplement V to CEPA and for early and pilot implementation in Guangdong.
For details of the Application Procedure, please visit the dedicated website of the "Pilot for Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates Issued by Hong Kong and Guangdong" at www.gdhkxr.gd.gov.cn.
Ends/Thursday, April 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 09:55
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