BEIJING — China has officially introduced a human imaging device with millimeter wave technology into its airports security checks, according to civil aviation authorities.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued its latest official technical standards and testing program for the millimeter wave human-imaging technology used for airport security checks.

Following the United States and the European Union, China is the first in Asia to issue the related technical admission standards.

The new technology will gradually replace current metal detectors, which have been in Chinese airports for 26 years, according to CAAC.

The millimeter wave human-imaging technology is the most advanced technology for global security checks, helping improve airport efficiency.

The technology is harmless to the human body and has a strong imaging capacity. It can detect hidden objects found on a person no matter the size or location, even nonmetallic ones.

The new-tech is used in airport security checks in several countries such as the United States, Britain, Netherlands, Australia and Japan.

Chinese civil aviation authorities began trial tests of the technology in four airports in August 2017.