Zhi Wei Cao, a Guangzhou committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) shows a picture reflecting the issues of the large amount of certificates that a citizen need to obtain in lifetime, the hardness of obtaining those certificates and complication of the process.

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According to his research, every Chinese citizen usually uses 103 certificates in his or her lifetime. Only identity card, one of the materials needed to submit to different departments, is needed to submit at least 73 times. Cao appeals that a citizen information database must be established, and a citizen only keeps "One Certificate/Card".

Cao says that a Chinese people need to apply for and obtain more than 400 types of certificates. There are 103 most seen certificates. "After born, we need to get birth certificate, vaccination certificate, a booklet of registered permanent residence. As a student, we need to get Student I.D., degree certificate, various exam certificates. After starting working, we need to get employment certificate, social security card, healthcare card, certificates of professional titles, professional qualification certificate, etc. When we retire, we also need to get retirement certificate and elder certificate. Very importantly, you need to get a Living proof or certificate of life in order to receive retirement allowance. After you die, you also need to get cremation certificate, death certificate as well as cremains storage certificate. "

Cao also introduces that people need to go to 18 departments, 39 centers or places, to get over 100 stamps and pay for these frequently-used certificates. "We also need to submit materials, and some of the materials are repeatedly used." Booklet of registered permanent residence, 37 times; pictures, 50 times; and the most crazily, I.D., 73 times.

Cao suggests that we shall establish a citizens' information database, a modern management system. With only one card/certificate, people can prove their identity and information. "For example, our I.D. information shall include the retirement certificate, elderly certificate, and even social security info." He also proposes that Guangzhou can be a trial for this system.