China Civil Registration: Difference between revisions

The birthplace of residents was recorded along with gender, birth, and death, which was the earliest form of identity registration.

'''Chin Dynasty'''

Classification of counties and cities was based on the number of households. Political systems and implementation were also based on the number of households.

The census was conducted regularly every year, and the results were used as a basis for enlistment and taxation.

'''Tang Dynasty'''

The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the equal field per household policy.

In the early Song dynasty, household registration was conducted; however, it emphasized male family members only. Therefore, although registration was conducted, it did not reflect the correct number of the entire population.

'''Yuan Dynasty'''

The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of civil registration. A leaflet was distributed to each household, recording the name, age and birthplace of each family member for verification (similar to today's household certificate).

A household law was adopted in 1644. Under the law, each household was assigned a board on which the name and traveling history of each member was recorded. Lodges were given a different booklet, aiming to investigate present population, in particular the management of the migrating population.

It is evident from these records that, since the Qing dynasty, ancient household registration started to form two systems in which the household registration was separate from the police household.

Taiwan's household registration began during the middle of the Dutch occupation. In 1647, the Dutch began to conduct census and household registration in line with its colonial policies. They also collected a head tax, marking the earliest civil registration records available in Taiwan.

The Japanese conducted household registration in line with their colonial policies in Taiwan. They also used the registration to investigate the labor force and maintain public safety. In 1906, Taiwan's civil registration was instituted, with two systems of registering permanent residents and migrating people. Household investigation was done by the police authorities, and household registration was done by the local registrar's offices at a regional level.

'''During the Early Restoration Period'''

On 29 June 1992, the registration of origin in Mainland China was abolished. On 21 May 1997, the registration of occupation was abolished.

The computerization project was carried in three phases:

The launch of electronic services has opened a new page in the history of household registration and serves as a solid foundation for promoting administrative renovation.