[NedIsakoff]

I live in China for over 10 years and I don't see the purpose of this.

Remember that this doesn't apply to roaming users or people buying Travel SIM for China, but those people are not a big worry.

To get a SIM card right now in China you need to have valid identification. The only ones that are acceptable are: 1) China Resident Identity Card; or 2) non-Chinese passport. Both of these already have photos.