China introduces ID card in three cities

Three mainland cities introduced electronic identification cards to improve governmental population management. The cards, which store personal data upon an embedded chip, were distributed in two districts in Shanghai, as well as in the cities of Huzhou, Zhejiang province, and Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Chinese media said the cards would assist in �managing population and maintaining social order�. The cards are set to be implemented nationwide in 2008.