In Guangzhou, people save time by using online govt services

It took Chen Yizhu about a minute to successfully apply for a new ID card using a self-service machine at a nearby community center recently in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The 21-year-old inserted a bank card and paid 40 yuan ($5.90) after quickly completing application forms on the machine.

"Now I can simply wait for my new identity card to be mailed to my home within two months," said Chen, who lost her card last month.

Without the self-service machine, she said, she would have had to make a reservation, go through a lengthy procedure at the public security department, and then return on another day to retrieve her new ID card.