The new version of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China was officially issued and activated on December 1. The new cards, which incorporate the five stars of the Chinese national flag and have therefore been nicknamed the "Five-star Cards", were issued on the its first day of issuance to 50 lucky foreign nationals whose applications for permanent residency in China had recently been approved. The first recipients hail from more than 20 different countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Sweden, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea, and have all made striking contributions to China's economic and social development in fields of economics, education, technology, culture, and healthcare, among others. They include laureates of the Chinese Government Friendship Award, foreign high-level managers and professional and technical personnel working in China for years, and foreign professors and scholars engaging in dedicated to long-term teaching and research in key universities, colleges, and research institutions. On the same day, there was a noticeable influx of foreign nationals with permanent residency in China inquiring about replacing cards at the service windows of exit-entry administration service centers of the public security organs in Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Shanghai Municipality, and Guangdong Province.

Optimized storage methods for certificate information, a more aesthetic look, and more advanced anti-counterfeiting technology all contribute to an improved design better able to protect personal information and ensure the security of data. The NIA is working with the relevant authorities to upgrade and transform application systems and facilities across industries, making it easier for card holders to access public and government services and internet platforms for transportation, lifestyle consumption, and financial communication, among others. Adopting an optimized method for storing certificate information and a more advanced anti-counterfeiting technology, each of the cards, with a more aesthetic look, has enhanced the protection of personal information and data security. NIA is working with the relevant authorities to upgrade and transform application systems and facilities across industries, to make it easier for card holders to access public and government services and internet platforms for transportation, life-related consumption, and financial communication, among others.

The official also stated that the issuance and activation of the Five-star Cards is a significant move made by NIA to ensure China's high-level opening up and improve the informatization of administrative services for foreign nationals in China. This will expand the reach of better services for overseas talented individuals seeking to invest, start a business, innovate, achieve self-growth, and live and work in China, thus contributing to the high-quality development of China's economy and society.