buying prepaid sim card requires id?

Question

A couple months ago I was able to easily buy China Unicom prepaid SIM card at convenience store in Shanghai without any ID. I am in Guangzhou now and when I go to 7-11 to buy prepaid SIM card, they ask me to go to the China Unicom store. I tried buying from street vendors but they all asked for an ID. Is it common practice everywhere in China or it is just Guangzhou tightening security ahead of Canton Fair?

Adele · Answer

When Chinese people gets a new SIM card, it is needed to show the ID card in any city. I presume it is the same with all the customers. As you may have no ID card, it shall be ok to have a card with your passport.

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Buying prepaid SIM card requires ID?