China decided on Thursday to gradually register fingerprint information of all foreigners at nationwide ports of entry, a measure to reinforce border control.

The Ministry of Public Security will start to pilot the scheme at Shenzhen airport in South China's Guangdong Province on Friday, collecting the fingerprints of foreigners aged between 14 and 70, according to a statement released on the website of the ministry on Thursday.

The ministry said collecting biodata from those who enter or exit China's territory aim to strengthen border management, which is international practice, the China News Service reported.

Exceptions to the rule include foreigners who hold diplomatic passports and delegations led by officials at vice-ministry level or above.

China's top legislature reformed exit and entry laws in July 2012, introducing a common international practice by which immigration authorities may collect fingerprints and other biodata from those who exit or enter China's territory, the Xinhua News Agency reported in August 2013.

The number of foreigners entering China has been increasing by 10 percent annually since 2000, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

China's police organs have collected immigrants' finger prints since 2005 to improve the efficiency of immigration procedures and protect national security.

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn