Old Chinese ID cards to expire

Policewoman Chen Yaping shows a group of first version Chinese ID cards at a police station in Tancheng county, East China's Shandong province, on May 31, 2012. (Xinhua)

China's first generation of resident ID cards will expire on Jan. 1, 2013, the Ministry of Public Security said Thursday.

More than 1.1 billion people, or 80 percent of China's population, already have second-generation ID cards, according to a statement released by the ministry.

The ministry said it will ensure convenience for those who have not updated their cards and wish to do so, such as people who live overseas.

Chinese citizens under the age of 16 can apply for ID cards on a voluntary basis.

On Oct. 29, 2011, China adopted an amendment to its Resident Identity Card Law to prohibit the use of the first-generation cards after Jan. 1, 2013.

The second-generation card was introduced in 2004.

The amendment also requires fingerprints to be recorded when people apply for or change ID cards in order to curb counterfeiting and illegal alterations to the cards.

The ministry will strive to ensure every police station in China can collect fingerprints before the end of next year, the statement said.