As an Observer Member, Hengbao - a provider of smart card products and technology solutions which operates across the banking, telecommunication, identity and internet of things markets - will direct its attention towards GlobalPlatform's Task Force initiatives. These groups define specific market requirements and assess how GlobalPlatform's Specifications can be advanced in line with future needs.

Daoru Lu, Deputy R&D Manager, comments: "GlobalPlatform technology has been widely adopted by the smart card industry and thanks to the association's efforts, billions of smart cards that abide by GlobalPlatform standards have been deployed across different markets. Being aligned with GobalPlatform has become increasingly important, so it is essential for us to pay close attention to the evolution of its technology. We have already developed a number of smart card products based on GlobalPlatform and we look forward to accessing member-only information which will assist in our future product development."

"We are happy to welcome Hengbao to the GlobalPlatform membership and it is pleasing to see continued engagement from smart card markets and players across China as we look forward to 2013," says Kevin Gillick, executive director at GlobalPlatform.