While digital means of payment are booming in Switzerland, China is even more advanced in this area, to the point that cash payment has become very rare. In some stores, it is even possible to adjust your shopping with the palm of your hand.
Paying his coffee and crescent with his mobile phone or connected watch has become commonplace. Fast and practical, this innovative means of payment has conquered Switzerland in a few years. But China is already going much further. In the Middle Kingdom, it is now possible to pay directly with the palm of the hand.
This system is still limited to certain store chains. The first hand scanners were installed in southern China in 2022 and spread slowly throughout the country. There is not yet public data on their use. “I spoke to a few traders. It seems that hand scanners are not yet widely used,” said SRF’s correspondent in China Samuel Emch.
In China, if you want to pay cash in a cafe, we look at you a little bit of way
To use this payment method, you must first register and scan your hand with a specially dedicated camera. The image is then saved in the WeChat application. The procedure barely takes a minute. “When paying at the checkout, you must simply hold your hand above the camera and the amount is debited from the WeChat account,” explains Samuel Emch.
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Digital payment even in remote areas
Digital payment methods are widespread in China, notes SRF journalist. The most common system is the QR code; More than 90% of purchases are made through this. “If you want to pay cash in a coffee, we look at you a little bit of way. Today, almost no one has money,” said Samuel Emch.
Contrary to what we know in Western countries, credit and debit cards have never been really widespread in the communist country. “China has gone directly from cash to digital payment methods.” These are disseminated throughout the country by the two large technological companies Alipay and WeChat. Businesses engage in intense competition to dominate this field, with the government’s blessing.
Digital payment has even won over the most remote rural provinces. “During a hike, I met an elderly woman with a basket filled with dried tea leaves. I was able to pay in the middle of the field by QR code,” says Samuel Emch. Even beggars in Shanghai tend you QR codes and no longer want rooms, he adds.
Samuel Emch, SRF/dk
