People can apply for multi-purpose Smart Identity Cards from June 23.

Existing ID cards will be replaced in phases from August 18.

Deputy Director of Immigration Eric Wong said the replacement of 6.9 million ID cards will be completed in four years.

Card sharp: Deputy Director of Immigration Eric Wong introduces the features of the Smart ID Card. They are produced by a Swiss-made machine, costing $8 million, at a rate of 240 pieces an hour.

He said Hong Kong is the fifth in the world to introduce smart ID cards, after Finland, Brunei, Malaysia and Macau. However, Hong Kong has the highest requirements in security and privacy.

Smart ID cards will initially be issued to new arrivals, children who must apply for a juvenile ID card at age 11, young people who have to apply for an adult ID card at 18, people whose ID cards have been lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced, and people who wish to amend the particulars on their ID cards.

Immigration and Police officers, and labour inspectors will be the first group of people to replace their cards from August 18 to November 15.

Mr Wong said this measure takes into account the need for law-enforcement officers to familiarise themselves with the features of the new cards at an early stage, so they can fight illegal immigration and employment.

Those aged from 34 to 39, who are frequent travellers, will follow. Using the new card, they will benefit from the Automated Passenger and Vehicle Clearance Systems which will come into operation at the end of 2004. There are about 800,000 people in this category.

The replacement timetable is as follows:

* Those born in 1968 or 1969 - September 15 to November 15;

* Those born in 1966 or 1967 - November 17 to January 10, 2004; and,

* Those born in 1964 or 1965 - January 12 to March 13, 2004.

Mr Wong said the Chief Executive, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and principal officials can also replace their cards so they can help promote Hong Kong as a leading IT city overseas.

The timetable for other age groups will be announced later.

Applications can be made at one of the five Registration of Persons Offices. Before June 23, applications received at the these offices will be processed under the old system which issue paper-based ID cards.

ID card replacements will take place in nine Smart ID Card Centres. Their working hours will be extended, from 8am to 9.15pm, Monday to Saturday.

Mr Wong said Hong Kong residents overseas need not rush back to replace their ID cards. They can do so within 30 days after their return to Hong Kong.

No fee will be charged for ID cards issued under the replacement exercise. Cards will be issued within 10 days.