China will begin testing new smart cards or e-permits to be issued to commuters traveling between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macau.

The Ministry of Public Security said the smart cards will gradually replace the current paper permits for those commuting between these three areas. It will soon test the digital smart cards in Guangdong province in southern China.

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Local police agencies will accept applications for e-permits starting May 20.

The new e-permit's security features are embedded on an integrated circuit chip that stores personal information, fingerprints and entry endorsement of the card holder. The ministry said the e-permit is expected to improve efficiency in issuing documents and will facilitate official inspection at checkpoints.

The e-permit's period of validity for Chinese citizens 16-years-old or above will be extended to 10 years from the current five years. For citizens under 16, the permit will remain valid for five years.

There has been a rising tide of visitors between mainland and Hong Kong and Macao in recent years. In 2013, visitor arrivals from the mainland to Hong Kong rose by 16.8 percent on-year to 40.5 million.

Arrivals from the mainland to Macau increased by 10 percent on-year to more than 18.6 million.