The southern city of Shenzhen, bordering Hong Kong, is set to grant permanent residence permits, similar to the "green card" in the United States, to foreigners for the first time.

"The Ministry of Public Security has approved the permits for nine foreigners, and they will get the cards in the near future," said Wang Deming, director of the exit-entry administration of the municipal public security bureau.

The bureau began taking foreigners' applications for permanent residence since 2004, and 21 foreigners have done so, according to Wang.

Currently more than 13,000 foreigners from 111 countries live in Shenzhen, which saw the entry of over 3.4 million foreigners last year.

Holders of permanent residence cards are allowed to live in the country for any length of time and travel in and out without visas.

China adopted the "green card" policy in 2004 to open up more to foreign nationals and conform with international practices.

Source: Xinhua