China's first "smart citizen cards" embedded with a fingerprint system and barcodes that store personal information have been rolled out in Wuxi City, eastern Jiangsu Province, the Changjiang Daily reports.

The new smart cards look like ordinary social security cards, but can record more data and be used more widely.

The names, genders, social security accounts, bank card numbers and photos of cardholders are printed on the front of the cards, while their blood types and other information are stored in the barcodes imprinted on the middle of the cards.

In addition to serving as a healthcare card, the smart cards can help identify people who use ATM machines, enter a building equipped with an electronic guard system or even pick up their children at kindergarten.

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