In an altogether amusing mixup, Chinese officials told a man with the same name as a notorious criminal who has been dead for 10 years.
The situation to have arisen as a result of attempts by the government to put an end to the common phenomenon of ‘repeat identities’.
The 45-year-old, identified as Mr. Chen, had applied for a certificate to show he had no criminal convictions for his new job in Guangzhou.
However, the police refused his application as they said records showed he was convicted and executed in 2006 for kidnapping.
Reporters from the Guangdong Radio and Television Network later found that the conviction belonged to another man with the same name and identity card number.
Despite such a record, Mr. Chen says he’s been living a normal life since his “execution” a decade ago and hasn’t experienced any difficulties before.
He said, “I was even allowed to apply for a travel permit to Hong Kong and Macau from the government.” Also adding, “All these things are just puzzling.”
Guangzhou police said there had been a mistake and issued him with the certificate.
The mix-up over the two Chens is one of the more extreme cases of “repeat identity” in China, caused when an administrative error gives citizens an identity card number that’s already been issued.
