Getting support to a place where you are currently at is fulfilling and special. Missing this opportunity is a great loss for everyone, concerning the perks and the advantages that it could give. Just recently, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan residents from mainland China were given an opportunity to own an identification card that would allow them to enjoy services and benefits that were not handed to them before.
Just last Saturday, waves of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents came to the application of a new identity card that would give them easy access to multiple public services in mainland China. This scheme made a wild noise in the whole community as it gained different feedbacks and responses from all over the world.
Applicants for New Smart Card in Mainland Increases
People that were proved citizens of the three valid countries braved that heavy rain to submit their requirements in the official centers. The applicants went from 0 to 1,061 by noon. Experts also told that these numbers could increase if there's no heavy rain during that time.
This craze all started when Beijing revealed that people from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, who are living in mainland China for six months, would be given smart cards that they could use all throughout their stay. SCMP reported that this card would give them the rights to access 18 types of schemes and services in the mainland. This right is almost the same as that of the rights given to the official citizens of China.
Feedbacks from Hong Kong and Taiwan
According to the South China Morning Post, this announcement brought so much happiness to other countries. Hong Kong even tagged it as a breakthrough, proving that their relationship with China is all good. However, it seems like Taiwan is doubtful of the smart cards given to their residents. The scheme was told to be a "political ploy" to put down the island. Experts from Taiwan warned every Taiwanese in the mainland that their privacy might be uncovered as they gave out personal data during the whole application.
Also, Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin stressed out that people who get to have this smart card might experience double taxation. He said that the tax rule imposed by the government is all behind the beauty of the smart card that residents will soon possess. This tax rule forces Hong Kong residents to stay and earn their income on the mainland for more than 183 days per year to be able to pay tax from any other earnings around the world.
Because of these perceptions, many residents doubt if they would still get the smart card that the mainland is offering.
