On April 23rd, some netizens' ID numbers end with an "X." What does this "X" signify, and how can one purchase train tickets within the railway system? China Railway has provided detailed instructions.
According to China Railway, the 18th digit on the ID card, represented by "X," is read as "10." This is calculated using a unified formula. If it were directly written as "10," the ID number would exceed 18 digits. Hence, the Roman numeral "X" is used instead.
So, how does one register a 12306 account if the ID number contains an "X"?
Taking the "Railway 12306" app as an example, simply illuminate the uppercase letter keyboard and input "X."
Apart from the "X" in the ID number, 12306 also supports registration with unusual characters, traditional Chinese characters, or punctuation marks in names.
For instance, if there are traditional Chinese characters in the name, they can be replaced directly with simplified characters. If there are "." or "·" in the name, carefully discern the characters on the original ID document and enter them accurately.
For uncommon characters in the name that cannot be inputted or displayed correctly after input, you can use lowercase Chinese Pinyin (only English letters, no tones) or homophones instead.
Chinese passport holders should fill in their Chinese names in the order of their names. Foreign passport holders should fill in their names in English as shown on their documents, with spaces between the surname and given name. Spaces should also be used between the surname and given name.
Additionally, holders of Mainland Travel Permits for Residents of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Taiwan Compatriot Travel Documents, should input their simplified Chinese names in the order of their names.
Passengers holding "Permanent Residence Permit of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners" or foreign passports can also register and purchase tickets online. Besides online verification, passengers can still go to the railway station window for verification.
