China rail services: Major improvements for foreigners

According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., China will provide foreigners with more convenient railway services, including easier online ticket purchasing and self-check-in.

The move comes after the country decided to issue a new version of the Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card starting Friday. The company said new card holders will enjoy the same online and self-service services as Chinese citizens.

Besides, the railway authority also launched an online identity verification service for foreign passport holders on Tuesday.

Previously, foreign passengers who purchased tickets on 12306.cn, China’s official train ticket booking website, had to present their passports at the station’s ticket counter to verify their identity information.

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Ikky Ma

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For over a decade, Ikky has served as a cultural navigator and practical guide for foreigners building lives in the world's most complex and dynamic society. What began as a personal journey of adaptation has transformed into a mission to demystify China's systems for the international community. Through firsthand experience navigating the intricacies of Chinese bureaucracy, business culture, and daily life, Ikky has developed a unique expertise that blends legal knowledge, cultural insight, and hard-won practical wisdom.

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