1.399b entries in China's population database

BEIJING -- China has completed its national population information database, recording 1.399 billion entries, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Tuesday.

The database covers China's whole population, using citizens' ID card numbers as the only reference for access, according to the MPS.

The database has been used extensively for the administration of social services like pensions and medical insurance, as well as marriage registration and student status management, according to the MPS.

The database can also share citizens' identity information with local governments and other national data exchange systems to streamline administration, the MPS said.

Construction of the database was led by the MPS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Between them, the agencies ensured consistency and accuracy, as such information used to be collected separately by different departments, making it hard to verify their authenticity and effectiveness, the MPS said.