STORY: Foreign expats in China's Guangdong receive 1st batch of integrated work-social security cards
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 15, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 16, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:32
LOCATION: DONGGUAN, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of foreigners receiving integrated work-social security cards
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MATTHEW MUSGRAVE, Associate researcher, China Spallation Neutron Source
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ARTEM VAULIN, Physicist, China Spallation Neutron Source
4. shot of display of integrated work-social security cards
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SUN LINA, Head of Dongguan Branch, China Guangfa Bank

STORYLINE:

Expats living in south China's Guangdong Province received the first batch of physical cards integrating the work permits and social security cards in Dongguan and other cities on Wednesday.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MATTHEW MUSGRAVE, Associate researcher, China Spallation Neutron Source
"I work at the China Spallation Neutron Source in Dongguan. I'm originally from the U.S. and I've been living here in Dongguan for three years now. It was really easy and efficient receiving my card here today. The staff was very helpful and helped me fill out the forms and meet all the requirements. The new social security card will be very convenient for my life here in Dongguan. It will help me use the doctor or the dentist, ride on a train or take a bus. I'm looking forward to the convenience it will provide."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ARTEM VAULIN, Physicist, China Spallation Neutron Source
"I work in the China Spallation Neutron Source. So, I'm a physicist. Oh, I'm so excited to get this card. So, I actually want to use it for buying tickets for bus and also have security insurance for my health when I'm going to some hospitals, something like that."

Starting from December 1, 2024, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued a document to implement the integration of foreign workers' work permits with social security cards.

The integrated card, called "Join in Card," is available in physical and digital versions. It allows expats to access 264 public services in diverse sectors such as government affairs, transport, tourism, finance, and healthcare without carrying their passports or other certificates.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SUN LINA, Head of Dongguan Branch, China Guangfa Bank
"Our branch completed the preparation work to issue the integrated work-social security card for foreigners in last December, and made the first physical card on Jan. 10 this year. In the future, based on the card's technical functions, we will provide more convenience for foreigners to work and live in China."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dongguan, China.
(XHTV)