Apart from traditional ID cards, residents in the city of Changsha in central China now have a second one-the "economic ID cards" as a credit system for local citizens and enterprises has been set up for trial operation, local Sanxiang City Express reported on Wednesday.
The "economic ID card" is a file with credit records of each citizen and enterprise.
"Banks will look over the credit files of the applicants when they apply for a loan or a credit card," Zhou Lianjun, who is in charge of the credit system, was quoted as saying. "Those without good credit record will end up in trouble."
According to Zhou, the credit files will have an influence in many fields, such as job hunting, house renting, house loans, bidding and bid-inviting by enterprises.
Those with "economic ID cards" can find their credit record on Changsha Financial and Credit Network (http://www.jrxyw.com/).
With the establishment of the credit system, 6.5 million Changsha residents and five enterprises already have their "economic ID cards", not including non-local residents and people not engaged in economic activities.
(CRI July 11, 2008)