An interesting issue: how to spend money in China?

Hello!

Here and there, let’s look everywhere.

Last week, the State Council of China passed a new document related to the topic "how to make payments" for foreigners travelling or living in China.

In China, using QR codes to make payments is very common. Chinese citizens are used to cashless payment and spending money using WeChat, Alipay or other digital tools. However, QR codes which can be seen everywhere have become an obstacle for foreigners visiting China. It is rather inconvenient to use cash or credit cards especially in small shops or stalls.

The Chinese government is trying to focus on solving the inconvenience of payment by the elderly, foreigners and other groups, optimise payment services, and open up service blockages.

Before introducing new measures, the Chinese government is open to suggestions from every member in related fields. Zhou Hanmin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association is a very important spokesperson in terms of improving the payment services of foreigners. Zhou's previous position was to participate in the bid for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

In the past year, Zhou Hanmin has found in the survey that foreigners are quite distressed about making payments in China despite it being a trivial matter. He has participated in the research of the CPPCC on foreign-funded enterprises several times, and noticed that many people have talked about the inconvenience of payment.

What impressed him was that the CEO of a foreign-funded enterprise told him that during his market research trip in China, without WeChat and Alipay, he could not move a single step. Some people also pointed out that because of the payment issue, it is also difficult for them to order takeout or take online car-hailing.

"Don't underestimate this problem." Zhou Hanmin said that he was worried that it would discourage their confidence in China’s business environment.

At the end of 2023, the People's Bank of China began to work with several ministries to improve payment facilitation.

When asked about the new measures of the State Council last week, as a CPPCC member, Zhou Hanmin said, "I am very gratified."

It is worth noting that at the State Council executive meeting when this document was issued, a promising signal was released that might consolidate the confidence of foreign investment in China. The Chinese government has studied policies and measures to attract and utilise foreign investment, emphasising the need to create a world-class business environment, and stressing the importance of foreign investment in promoting the common prosperity and development of not only China's economy but the rest of the world’s economy.

中国青年报社 出品

文字：胡春艳 张致远 实习生 朱澹清

剪辑：傅瑞 卞心怡

视觉包装：张岩 李晗

本次播报由中国青年报社“青年语料库”提供支持