Legal basis: Article 4 of the Passport Law of the People's Republic of China. Ordinary passports are issued by the exit-entry administration department of the Ministry of Public Security or the exit-entry administration department of the public security organs of local people's governments at or above the county level entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security, as well as Chinese embassies, consulates and other foreign institutions entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic passports are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Official passports are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese people, Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or other overseas institutions entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the foreign affairs departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities with districts entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.