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​​​​​​​Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) are research reports on country conditions. They are requested by IRB decision-makers.

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Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) cite publicly accessible information available at the time of publication and within time constraints. A list of references and additional sources consulted are included in each RIR. Sources cited are considered the most current information available as of the date of the RIR.            

RIRs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. More information on the methodology used by the Research Directorate can be found here.          

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12 May 2014

CHN104881.E

China: Instances in which the letter "X" is used at the end of the identification number on a resident identity card

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

In 1 May 2014 correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at the Embassy of Canada in Beijing provided the following information on the use of the letter "X" as the last digit of the identification number on resident identity cards [RICs] in China:

The State Council of PRC [the People's Republic of China] issued a decision on citizen identification number system effective Oct. 1, 1999. Citizen identification number is made in accordance with GB11643-1999 national standard.

It consisted of 18 digits:

first 6 are Address code (Administrative area code),

the 7th-14th digits are Birth date code (YYYY/MM/DD),

the 15th-17th digits are Sequence code (for people with same DOB and address code, odd number for Male, and even number for Female),

last digit is Check code (from 1-10). Check formula is

18
Σ (ai x Wi) ≡ 1(mod 11)...(1)
i=1

If the character value is 10, "X" will be used instead of 10.

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Canada. 1 May 2014. Embassy of Canada in Beijing. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact an official at the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response. An official at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ottawa was unable to provide information.

Internet sites, including: Australia – Australian Refugee Review Tribunal; China – Official Web Portal; European Country of Origin Network; Factiva; UK – Home Office Border Agency; United Nations – Refworld; Xinhua News Agency.

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