Shanghai has established pilot digital yuan schemes around the city to accelerate vibrant new forms of consumption, in a move to follow the nation’s call to promote financial operating efficiency and reduce transaction costs.

A pilot e-currency program has been pushed forward in Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, a well-known shopping street close to the Bund, with most retailers accepting digital yuan payments. A Global Times reporter found that it’s very convenient to use e-yuan payment in this commercial zone.

Also, a few vending machines supporting e-currency payments have been deployed in downtown Shanghai including Metro stations, as a way to promote the e-currency scheme. Along with Shanghai, many other Chinese cities including Suzhou, Shenzhen and Dalian are all promoting the trial programs. (Photos: Yang Hui/GT)