The Public Security Department of northern China's Heibei Province denies media reports that even if one bus passenger fails to show a valid ID card upon entering Beijing, the bus and all passengers will be refused entry to the city.

A statement on the Hebei Public Security Department's official Website on Friday said that beginning July 20, all 26 inspection stations surrounding the capital city will begin checking inbound vehicles to Beijing.

People on aboard must present their personal identification cards to the security personnel for examination. Those who are not carrying their ID cards will be asked to return to their places of origin.

But there is absolutely no such security stipulation as reported by Beijing-based media to the effect that all bus passengers will be denied entry even if only one of them fails to present the ID card, the department's information office clarified in the statement.

The report on Friday was widely quoted by Chinese news portals.

Beijing residents not carrying ID cards but who can provide ID numbers will be allowed to enter the city if the number is verified to be correct. This examination procedure applies to both first- and second-generation ID cards for Chinese citizens.

(CRI July 12, 2008)