BEIJING - Chinese commercial bank must verify the identify of clients when they open personal bank accounts to make sure they are using their real names, a circular showed Friday.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, released the circular on its website, saying that banks must check an applicant's ID and his/her willingness to open the account.

"If the applicant's real identity cannot be verified with ID, the bank can ask for additional evidence," the circular said.

The PBOC said in a statement that despite real name requirements being in place since 2000, implementation was lax, and anonymous or fake bank accounts appeared from time to time.

Real names will ensure the security of people's money and safeguard financial order.