On Monday the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Bureau issued China's first legally-recognized digital resident identity card through WeChat. 

A view of the ID card photo. (Photo: VCG)

The ID card is issued after an applicant passes an identity check, which uses WeChat's facial recognition technology to match the person's face with their ID card photo. The system also reviews other information provided by the users, and if they pass all of the checks, their electronic ID card is generated.

A view of the electronic ID card. (Photo: VCG)

Individuals can use their digital ID card for applications made online and offline that require ID, doing away with the inconvenience of needing to carrying a physical ID card.