China will ban people with low social character from flying
China will introduce a social credit system to prevent people with a history of bad behaviour from taking trains and planes.
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Passengers wait to board a train in Jiangsu province, China on January 31. Photo:Reuters. |
Those subject to travel restrictions include those who spread false information about terrorism and cause trouble on flights, those using expired tickets or smoking on trains, according to two statements posted on the website of China's National Development and Reform Commission on March 16, according toReuters.
Those who commit financial misconduct, such as employers who fail to pay social insurance or those who fail to pay fines, will also face restrictions. They could be banned from travelling on trains and planes for up to a year. The rules will come into effect on May 1.
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to build a social character assessment system based on the principle that "once unreliable, always limited".
China plans to introduce a system that would allow government agencies to share information about people's trustworthiness and issue punishments based on social credit scores.
