Digital identification machines have been installed at the gates of the Great Hall of the People for the ongoing sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The machines, 1.68 meters high and 0.49 meters wide, have screens and cameras with them and can automatically identify people passing by while examining the preset data such as photo, name and participant number.
The digital ID system gives a warning if detected information does not match with its database. The machines can simultaneously check the identification of two or three people passing by at the same time.
Participants without any ID card or wearing a fake one will also be identified and stopped from entering the Great Hall of the People.
The system, developed by Shougang Huanxing Company, made its debut at the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in November 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2003)
