Chinese language conglomerate Tencent Holdings is becoming a member of forces with blockchain firm ShareRing to launch a brand new digital identification system to streamline worldwide journey amid the pandemic. 

Because the South China Morning Publish reported Tuesday, ShareRing will mix its distributed ledger know-how with Tencent’s cloud companies to create a blockchain-based digital id administration platform.

Particularly, ShareRing will use Tencent Cloud’s optical character recognition, or OCR, and facial recognition know-how to assist enhance its “self-sovereign id app.” In its present type, the app can be utilized to e-book flights, lodge reservations, automotive leases and a wide range of different companies.

In a joint assertion, Tencent and ShareRing stated the intention of this partnership is to assist Southeast Asian nations “reopen their borders to tourism and get better from the financial blow” of COVID-19.

The journey and tourism business has been ravaged by international lockdowns, with S&P World Scores forecasting a 60% to 70% drop in international air site visitors this 12 months. 

The businesses indicated that the platform has already acquired curiosity from varied authorities businesses within the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, which includes ten member states.

Blockchain know-how has lengthy been touted as a possible worth driver of digital recognition techniques. The blockchain is claimed to supply safer administration and storage of digital identities, which can allow seamless journey, background checks, well being file assortment and streamlined KYC protocols.

This isn’t the primary time Tencent has been linked to blockchain product improvement. As Cointelegraph beforehand reported, the tech conglomerate beforehand constructed a wine traceability platform for China’s oldest wine producer. Tencent can also be backing a blockchain consortium referred to as FISCO BCOS by way of its WeBank entity. 

ShareRing didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.