According to Passport Law of the People's Republic of China (passed on the 21^st Session of the 10^th Standing Committee of National People's Congress on April 29, 2006, available on http:// www.mfa.gov.cn/chn/lsfw/t251906.htm), passports before the expiry should be legally replaced or reissued, and will not be extended from January 1, 2007.

          The change of the validity of private passports includes two categories: passports for holders under the age of 16 will be valid for five years and those for holders over the age of 16 (16 years old included) will be valid for 10 years.

          The validity of passports for public affairs remains unchanged.