The most distinctive feature of an ePassport is the contactless chip embedded in the end cover that contains the bearer's biographical data and facial image. The data cannot be altered once personalized.

The MOFA will start issuing the new official document on Dec. 29, making the Republic of China (Taiwan) the 60th country in the world to move to upgraded passports. Eight million Taiwanese passengers could benefit from the new technology.

Speaking at a news conference for the occasion, Foreign Minister Francisco H. L. Ou said that the chances of forgery have been greatly reduced.

Although, the look of the front cover remains the same except for the ePassport symbol added on the bottom, he pointed out that the design of the inner pages were updated with themes of Taiwan's top tourist attractions, landmarks, and social icons.

The higher credibility of Taiwan passports enabled by such technology will give the country more leverage in negotiating for Taiwan's inclusion in visa free programs with the United States and other major countries, he added.

Lo Yu-chung, director-general of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, stressed that since the data will contain neither fingerprints or iris information, nor the holder's previous travel records, there should not be concerns over breaches of human rights or leaks of personal information.

The data can only be accessed when the ePassport is opened and put within a distance of a few millimeters of machines particularly designed to read the information, Lo explained.

Such devices, however, will not be installed until 2010 due to budget constraints, Lo noted.

The application fee will stay at NT$1,200 for the first year of issuance, considering the recent inflation of prices and economic factors, he continued.

Given that ordinary passports are valid for up to ten years, previously issued passports will remain good until their date of expiry, he indicated.

For more information on ePassport and its application procedure, the MOFA has set up an "ePassport website" (http://www.epassport.com.tw/).

On Dec. 29, the Ministry will hold an ePassport issuance commemorating press conference, and free passports will be delivered to lucky winners selected by computer.