Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Domestic Travel Restrictions in China

The US's Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 states that authorities may sharpen controls on freedom of movement from time to time (US 24 May 2012, 36). Freedom of movement can be limited for dissidents, human rights activists and petitioners at "sensitive times," such as during the run-up to the 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress in November 2012 (CHRD 1 Nov. 2012), or for "individuals deemed politically sensitive" (US 24 May 2012, Sec. 2). Freedom House points out that "officials face penalties if they fail to limit the flow of petitioners travelling to Beijing to report injuries" (2012).

Sources indicate that members of certain ethnic groups can be subject to internal travel restrictions (Time 9 July 2009; RFA 12 Jan. 2010; US 13 Sept. 2011, Sec. 2). The US Department of State July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report notes that Tibetan monks and nuns reportedly need to obtain permission from religious affairs bureaus at the county level to travel to study or teach (ibid.). In addition, media sources indicate that travel restrictions can be imposed on members of the Uyghur minority (Time 9 July 2009; RFA 12 Jan. 2010). In particular, citing exiled Uyghur groups, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports there was "widespread" control on domestic travel for Uyghurs during a period of tension between the Uyghur minority and the Han majority in Guangdong Province following the stabbing of a Uyghur man (ibid.). RFA quotes an official as indicating that members of the Uyghur minority "'are much more sensitive than the Han Chinese, so they are going to be subject to stricter checks'" (ibid.). RFA also quoted a World Uyghur Congress spokesman as stating that Uyghurs were being stopped from buying plane and train tickets to Guangdong Province (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

2. Real-Name Ticket System for Travel by Train

Sources indicate that China's has had a real-name ticket system for train travel (China Daily 17 Feb. 2012) since January 2012 (BBC 13 Feb. 2012; TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.). Under the real-name system, individuals must show identification in order to purchase train tickets and their names must be displayed on their tickets (China Daily 17 Feb. 2012; BBC 13 Feb. 2012). According to sources, the real-name ticket system was first introduced for high-speed train travel beginning in June 2011 (Xinhua 1 June 2011; Business Traveller Asia Pacific 26 May 2011; China Daily 23 May 2011).

According to some sources, the real-name ticket system allows for one train ticket to be bought per valid identification (CITS [2012]; TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.). TravelChinaGuide.com, a website providing information for travellers in China, specifies that the only exception to this rule is for children accompanying adults (ibid.). In addition, sources indicate that self-service ticket machines were found in some train stations in 2011, although these reportedly only accept Chinese ID cards (Shanghai Daily 14 May 2011; Seat61.com [2011]).

Sources indicate that identification must be shown alongside tickets when boarding trains (TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.; CITS [2012]). The BBC reports that both tickets and identity documents are checked at entry into train stations (BBC 13 Feb. 2012). According to CNN Travel, a division of news network CNN that focuses on travel information (CNN n.d.), high-speed rail passengers must be prepared to show ID with their tickets both on trains and in waiting halls (CNN 30 Nov. 2011). CNN Travel also reports that ID must be presented for ticket adjustments and refunds (ibid.).

Sources indicate that identification must be shown alongside tickets when boarding trains (TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.; CITS [2012]). The BBC reports that both tickets and identity documents are checked at entry into train stations (BBC 13 Feb. 2012). According to CNN Travel, a division of news network CNN that focuses on travel information (CNN n.d.), high-speed rail passengers must be prepared to show ID with their tickets both on trains and in waiting halls (CNN 30 Nov. 2011). CNN Travel also reports that ID must be presented for ticket adjustments and refunds (ibid.). Media sources indicate that 23 types of identity documents could be used to purchase tickets when the system was put in place (Shanghai Daily 14 May 2011; China Daily 23 May 2011). The website of the state-owned China International Travel Service (CITS) (CITS n.d.) states that the types of ID that may be used to buy real-name train tickets include the following:

• Chinese citizen ID card
• Passport
• Permit of Inland Entry and Exit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents
• Permit of Mainland land Entry and Exit for Taiwan Residents
• Home-return Permit
• Permit for Mainland Residents to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
• Residence Permit for Foreigners
• Aliens' Exit-Entry Permit
• Diplomat Certificate (CITS [2012]).

Sources state that identification-document numbers are printed on passengers’ train tickets along with the ticket holders’ names (China Daily 23 May 2011; CITS [2012]; CNN 30 Nov. 2011). China Daily, a state-owned English-language newspaper (Mondo Times n.d.), specifies that the system that was put in place for high-speed railway was tailored to the "new type" of identity cards, and that ticket buyers using other types of identification may face delays (China Daily 23 May 2011). For more information on Chinese identification cards, please see RIR CHN103755 of 7 July 2011.

Sources indicate that authorities claim to have introduced real-name ticket sales in order to prevent ticket scalping (China Daily 17 Feb. 2012; BBC 13 Feb. 2012; TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.). According to sources, illegal ticket sales are a particular problem during the busy travel period surrounding the Chinese New Year (China Daily 17 Feb. 2012; BBC 13 Feb. 2012; TravelChinaGuide.com n.d.). However, some observers have expressed concern over the Chinese government's motivations for introducing the real-name ticket system (BBC 13 Feb. 2012; SCMP 12 Jan. 2010). A BBC article notes that the introduction of the obligation for certain services is seen by some as "a move to restrict civil liberties"(BBC 13 Feb. 2012).

According to sources, the real-name ticket system is used by police to identify and detain fugitives (Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012; BBC 13 Feb. 2012). According to sources, police reported that they had captured 375 fugitives during the 2012 Chinese New Year travel period (ibid.; Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012). The Shanghai Daily also notes that police patrol train stations and that train passengers might need to present their identification (ibid.).

According to sources, the real-name ticket system is used by police to identify and detain fugitives (Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012; BBC 13 Feb. 2012). According to sources, police reported that they had captured 375 fugitives during the 2012 Chinese New Year travel period (ibid.; Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012). The Shanghai Daily also notes that police patrol train stations and that train passengers might need to present their identification (ibid.).

3. Previous Systems Requiring Identification for Train Travel

Sources mention that there were previously various systems of ticket sales requiring ID in different regions of China (Xinhua 15 Jan. 2011; SCMP 12 Jan. 2010; TravelChinaGuide.com 30 July 2008). These include a pilot program requiring the use of ID when buying train tickets, which was implemented in January 2010 (SCMP 12 Jan. 2010; Xinhua 21 Jan. 2010). The Xinhua news agency states that the pilot program was implemented between Guangdong province and the provinces of Hunan, Sichuan, and Guizhou, as well as between Guangdong and Chongqing municipality (ibid.). The Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning (SCMP) notes that the system was put into place at 37 stations of the Guangzhou and Chengdu railway bureaus (SCMP 12 Jan. 2010). According to SCMP, under the pilot project, only passengers with the proper identification for their tickets would be allowed into railway stations (ibid.). According to Xinhua, only one ticket could be purchased per customer (Xinhua 15 Jan. 2011).

According to a report from TravelChinaGuide.com, a website dedicated to information on travelling in China, a ticket sales system requiring identification was instituted for the train going from Chongqing to Lhasa in July 2008 (TravelChinaGuide.com 30 July 2008). The report states that passengers needed to be present their identification to railway police after purchasing their tickets and before boarding (ibid.) Corroboration of the above and information on whether these procedures were still in use were not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

4. Plans for a Facial Recognition System at Train Stations

Media sources indicate that authorities have announced plans to put in place a face recognition system at three stations of the high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai (Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012; China Daily 16 Apr. 2012). The aim of the system is to assist police in capturing fugitives (ibid.; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012; Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012). Passengers will be examined as they go through security-check areas and police will be able to verify if there are matches with the criminal database (ibid.; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012).

Media sources indicate that authorities have announced plans to put in place a face recognition system at three stations of the high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai (Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012; China Daily 16 Apr. 2012). The aim of the system is to assist police in capturing fugitives (ibid.; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012; Shanghai Daily 15 Apr. 2012). Passengers will be examined as they go through security-check areas and police will be able to verify if there are matches with the criminal database (ibid.; Global Times 16 Apr. 2012).Sources note that a similar system was adopted in two Beijing railway stations in 2006, resulting in the capture of 100 fugitives in its first month of operations (ibid.; China Daily 16 Apr. 2012).

5. Travel by Bus

A RFA article reported in April 2012 that a government notice was circulated among bus companies in Beijing indicating that they were prohibited to take as passengers Chinese citizens attempting to reach government officials to petition them for assistance regarding various issues, in particular petitioners belonging to the Uyghur minority (22 Apr. 2012). Corroborating information and information on the identification documents required to travel by bus could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

6. Travel by Boat

Information regarding identification documents necessary for travel by boat could not be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 13 February 2012. "Real Name Train Tickets Net Fugitives in China." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. 26 May 2011. Alisha Haridasani. "ID Required For China High-Speed Rail Tickets." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

Cable News Network (CNN). 30 November 2011. CNN Travel. David Feng. "A Complete Guide to China’s High-Speed Rail." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

China Daily [Beijing]. 16 April 2012. "Face Recognition at High-Speed Railways." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

_____. 17 February 2012. "Rail Ticket ID Will Stay on Track." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

_____. 23 May 2011. Xin Dingding and Li Yao. "Policy Coming for Riders of High-Speed Trains." [Accessed 29 Nov. 2012]

China International Travel Service (CITS). [2012]. "How to Book China Train Tickets?" [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

_____. N.d. "About CITS." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD). 1 November 2012. "Weighty Times, Aggressive Measures: China Must End Heightened Crackdown Ahead of Party Congress." [Accessed 28 Nov. 2012]

_____. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

Freedom House. 2012. "China." Freedom in the World 2012. [Accessed 4 July 2012]

Global Times [Beijing]. 16 April 2012. Li Mao. "Beijing-Shanghai Railway Stations to Install Face Recognition System." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

Mondo Times. N.d. "China Daily." [Accessed 30 Nov. 2012]

Radio Free Asia (RFA). 22 April 2012. "Buses Asked to Eject Uyghur Petitioners." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

______. 12 January 2010. Lin Di and Hai Nan. "Security Clampdown on Uyghurs." Translated into English by Luisetta Mudie. [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

Seat61.com. [2011]. "A Beginner's Guide to Train Travel in China..." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

Shanghai Daily.15 April 2012. Zha Minjie. "Railway to Use Face Recognition Technology." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

_____. 14 May 2011. Zha Minjie and Zhao Wen. "Foreigners Face Rail Ticket Delay." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

South China Morning Post (SCMP). 3 January 2012. "ID Policy Irks Rail Passengers." (Factiva)

_____. 12 January 2010. Ivan Zhai. "Critics Query ID Policy for Buying Train Tickets." (Factiva)

Time. 9 July 2009. Ishaan Tharoor. "A Brief History of the Uighurs." [Accessed 27 Nov. 2012]

TravelChinaGuide.com. 30 July 2008. "Chongqing-Lhasa Train Ticket Sale Adopts Named System." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

_____. N.d. "How to Buy Train Tickets." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

United States (US). 24 May 2012. Department of State. "China (Includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011. [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

_____. 13 September 2011. Department of State. "China (Includes Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau)." July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report. [Accessed 18 Sept. 2012]

Xinhua News Agency. 1 June 2011. "Real-Name Ticket for High-Speed Trains." [Accessed 30 Nov. 2012]

_____. 15 January 2011. "Chinese Police Crack Down on Fake ID Cards Used for Train Ticket Scalping." [Accessed 4 July 2012]

_____. 21 January 2010. "Real-Name Train Ticket System Launched in China, Crackdown on Scalpers." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral Sources: Attempts to contact representatives of the Chinese embassies in Ottawa and Washington were unsucessful.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Australia — Refugee Review Tribunal; China — Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Railways; ecoi.net; Factiva; Human Rights Watch; Lonely Planet; People’s Daily; United Kingdom Home Office; United Nations Refworld.