Date: 20 March 2002

Cooperation Arrangement between Hongkong Post and Guangdong Electronic Certification Authority on Cross Certification Arrangement

Hongkong Post today announced an arrangement to step up the cooperation between Hongkong Post Certification Authority and Guangdong Electronic Certification Authority in the area of cross certification.

Mr P C LUK, the Postmaster General signed a "Cross Certification Cooperation Arrangement" with Mr Sun Xiaohe, Vice President of the Guangdong Electronic Certification Authority Ltd. today in Guangzhou. The two parties will explore the establishment of a reliable and seamless cross-certification system between the two Certification Authorities in Hong Kong and Guangdong. In addition, they will explore joint procurement and development of open PKI based applications to facilitate secure transactions over the Internet. This collaboration signifies Hongkong Post's initiative in promoting closer ties with the certification authorities in the Mainland and in fostering e-commerce activities between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Mr LUK said, "We are delighted to be able to establish closer cooperation relationship with Guangdong Electronic Certification Authority. Such cooperation will enhance both parties' positioning as major leading Internet hub in South China and help promote e-commerce in the region."

Mr LUK added, " Hongkong Post will continue to explore opportunities to enlist more partners to promote cross-certification co-operation in order to promote the use of digital certificate around the world."

The ceremony was witnessed by Ms Adeline WONG, Principal Assistant Secretary, Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Mr. Xu Zhibiao, Director of Guangdong Information Industry Department.

Hongkong Post is the first public certification authority in Hong Kong recognised under the Electronic Transactions Ordinance enacted in January 2000. The digital certificates issued by Hongkong Post, officially known as the e-Cert, allows people to authenticate the identity of digital certificate holders on the Internet. Hongkong Post e-Certs play an integral part of the new Smart ID Card replacement exercise scheduled to commence in mid-2003. Under this Scheme, each of the 6.8 million smart ID cardholders will be offered an option to embed a Hongkong Post e-Cert on their Smart ID Cards. With all these efforts, the Hongkong Post Certification Authority services will continue to provide a solid infrastructure and foster a secure and trusted e-commerce environment in the region.