More than 900 people in the southwestern city of Nanning have obtained a smart ID card as part of a pilot for the new technology.

People have been able to apply for a digital version of their identity card since last week, when internet giant Tencent and the city's public security bureau announced a strategic partnership to accelerate digitization of urban management.

From next month, the smart ID card will be accepted for household registration applications, according to authorities in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. After that, the pilot could be expanded to include opening bank accounts, booking train tickets or applying for a driver's license.