Acting Director of Immigration PehYun-lu says an automated passenger-clearance system for tourists who frequently visit Hong Kong will be put on trial in the second half of this year.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Peh said tourists who wish to use the system should register with the Immigration Department, providing their travel document data and personal particulars. The department will also store their fingerprints and photos.

When the tourists enter or leave Hong Kong, they can insert their travel documents into a newly designed e-channel machine which will verify their information.

Under the trial scheme, the new e-channel machines will be installed in some busy check points, such as Lowu and Lok Ma Chau. If the initial response is positive, the department may consider expanding the scheme.

On the identity-card-replacement scheme, Mr Peh said the scheme will come to an end today. About 500,000 eligible people still have not replaced their old ID cards, he said, adding some of them are senior citizens and residents who have emigrated to other countries.