A 57-year-old local woman in Pingtan was granted a permanent residency permit, or hukou, in Pingtan county on June 16, after 37 years of waiting, thanks to help from the local police.

Lin A’mu’s original hukou was mistakenly revoked by the local public security bureau, the authority over hukou management, when she moved from Qingfeng village to the neighboring Changle county in 1977.

She has since lived without an ID or a hukou, which is an important document for Chinese citizens to enjoy many benefits, such as medical insurance and social security.

Police in Botang township helped Lin after learning about her long predicament and facilitated her hukou registration.

Lin thanked the police and said she was relieved.

"It takes a load off my mind indeed," she said.