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No—cash is not obsolete in China, even though mobile payments are used at enormous scale. The People’s Bank of China reported 210.980 billion bank mobile-payment transactions in 2024, but that figure does not measure cash’s share of everyday purchases. Government policy calls for cash, bank cards and mobile payments to coexist, and cash-receipt rules effective February 1, 2026 protect cash use in specified circumstances.
How widespread are mobile payments in China?
Mobile payments are deeply established in daily life, but the most striking official statistic needs careful interpretation. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) reported that banks processed 210.980 billion mobile-payment transactions worth RMB563.70 trillion in 2024. That is a bank-channel figure, not a count of every mobile payment in China and not a measure of the proportion of retail purchases made digitally. The PBOC also reported 301.668 billion bank electronic-payment transactions overall; that broader category includes channels beyond consumer mobile payments. PBOC, Payment System Report (2024), published 2025.
The PBOC has said mobile payments have spread across sectors of daily life and have substituted for traditional methods such as cash and bank cards. It also identifies inclusion as an ongoing concern. Substitution shows that habits have changed; it does not establish that cash has disappeared. PBOC, Q&A on the State Council payment-services opinion, March 7, 2024.
Is China going cashless?
Not according to the policy direction in the official sources. The State Council’s March 2024 opinion calls for cash, bank cards and mobile payments to develop in parallel and remain compatible and complementary. It also calls for preserving traditional payment services and ensuring that designated major venues provide a range of payment methods. The policy recognizes that older people may prefer cash and that some inbound visitors may be more accustomed to cards or cash. State Council General Office, Opinion on Further Optimizing Payment Services and Improving Payment Convenience, March 11, 2024.
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- 【Professional and Precise Detection】Multiple detection modes can be used individually or simultaneously. When the cash is fake/broken/non-magnetic/normal size banknotes, the LCD display of Aneken money counter will show red error code and sound an alarm.
- 【Multiple Functions】Count-Count the number of bills. Add-Multiple bill counting batches can be added together. Batch-The money counter stops each time the set number of bills to be counted is reached. The bill counter can also be selected in manual or automatic mode.
- 【Count Value】The money counting machine can identify banknote denominations by manually setting the "Value". In conjunction with the “Add” mode, the sum of the values of bills can be calculated. PLEASE NOTE: The bill counter does not automatically recognize the denomination of the bills.
- 【Reliable & Efficient】The high efficiency motor of the bill counter can count 1000 bills per minute. The noise level is less than 60 decibels.PLEASE NOTE: This product operates on 110V ONLY.
- 【Security Protection】For your privacy and security, there is no information about the cash counting machine on the outer box, ensuring the safety of your cash business. We provide lifetime technical support for the cash counting machine. And will reply and provide the best service within 12 hours.
There is no current cash-use percentage or authoritative share of ordinary purchases paid in cash in the sources cited here. Mobile-payment transaction volumes cannot fill that gap: they do not reveal how often cash is used, how many people rely on it, or what share of everyday spending it represents.
Is cash still accepted in China?
Cash acceptance is supported by rules, though the rules have a defined scope rather than requiring cash for every conceivable transaction. Regulations issued by the PBOC, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Financial Regulatory Administration on November 27, 2025 took effect on February 1, 2026. They generally prohibit covered fee-collecting units and businesses from refusing cash, subject to specified circumstances in which non-cash payment is legally required. They require cash support for in-person collection or service and address cash access when certain self-service systems fail. PBOC, NDRC and NFRA, Regulations on RMB Cash Receipt, Payment and Services.
Rank #2
- Precise Detection - The money counter adopts UV/MG/IR/MT/DD detection technology, when the cash is fake or broken, the LCD display of the currency counter will show red error code and sound an alarm. After you take out the defective bill, the machine will continue to work.
- 2026New Value Counting Mode - In ADD mode, you can select different currency denominations first and then the counting machine calculates the total number and total value of different denominations of currency. (Note: you cannot calculate the total of a mixed bunch of banknotes!)
- Efficient and Smooth - The dispenser uses the latest roller technology to quickly count not only new banknotes, but also old, creased banknotes. The efficient motor counts up to 1200 notes per minute without jams, which saves you a lot of time and ensures that you can quickly complete your daily financial counting tasks.
- PONNOR Special Design - To minimise the impact on others when using the money counter, we have added a silent setting. Simple to operate, just keep the ST/CL button pressed, switch off the on/off button at the rear of the machine and switch it on again to enter silent mode. In the same way you can go back to sound mode and the machine noise is below 60 dB.
- Multiple modes - The money machine supports COUNT, ADD, BATCH, AUTO, MANUAL and other modes, easy to use, easy to operate, beginners can also quickly use.
This legal protection is not the same as a promise that every payment experience will be equally convenient. The rules concern covered entities and situations; they should not be read as a blanket requirement for every online-only transaction to accept cash. At a particular venue, the available methods can depend on the transaction and circumstances.
How do mobile payments, cards and cash compare?
| Method | What to prepare | Where it fits | Practical limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile payment | A compatible phone and a successfully set-up payment account or linked card. | Widely used in daily-life settings; official visitor guidance describes app-based options. | Setup, eligibility and acceptance can vary. Do not assume every visitor can register every app or that all merchants accept it. |
| Bank card | A usable card and, where applicable, a way to complete the transaction through the merchant’s payment terminal. | Recognized in government policy as one of the payment methods that should remain available, particularly at designated major venues. | Acceptance can vary by venue and transaction; policy does not mean every merchant accepts every card. |
| Cash | Renminbi, obtained through an appropriate exchange or withdrawal option. | Remains a lawful payment option, with rules supporting cash acceptance in covered circumstances. | Legal acceptance does not ensure identical convenience everywhere. Cash access and service arrangements may differ by location and situation. |
The comparison reflects the State Council policy and visitor guide, together with the cash-service rules; it is not a guarantee of acceptance at every individual business. State Council/Xinhua, Payment service guide for overseas visitors to China, updated April 11, 2024.
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- 【Value Count】The DC002 money counter machine calculates the total value of banknotes based on the denomination manually selected by the user. When used with “Add” Mode, it can accumulate the value of multiple batches. Please note: The machine does not automatically detect or recognize banknote denominations.
- 【Easy to Use】This bill counter requires no complicated selection, directly from the button. It can be used quickly by beginners, greatly improving teaching and counting efficiency. Supports both Auto Mode and Manual Mode for different counting preferences and bill conditions.
- 【Fast & Smooth Counting】Built with upgraded Adaptive Feeding Technology and an optimized roller system, this money counter smoothly processes both new and old bills with fewer jams and interruptions. Powered by a high-efficiency motor, it counts up to 1,300 bills per minute while maintaining stable and accurate performance for efficient daily cash handling. Ideal for small business, office, retail store, and daily cash counting use.
- 【Counterfeit Detection】 When a suspect bill is checked by UV (ultraviolet detection), MG (magnetic detection), IR (infrared detection), THK (thickness verification), DIM (dimensional validation), CCH (color-changing ink detection), FL (fluorescence analysis), or SL (security line detection), the counter will stop counting and display an error code. For more accurate detection results, you can use multiple detection modes simultaneously or separately.
- 【Accurate and Fast】The bill counter counts up to 1,300 banknotes/minute and handles cash quickly, with a hopper and stacker that can hold up to 200 banknotes. Enables fast, accurate and continuous counting.
Can tourists still pay with cash in China?
Yes. The government’s visitor guide lists mobile payment, bank cards and cash as options for overseas visitors, and describes app payments, card use, ATM withdrawals and currency exchange. It also describes efforts to expand cash acceptance. The guide was updated in April 2024, so its specific app features, supported wallets, account setup details and limits may no longer reflect current terms. Check current provider and travel information before relying on any particular setup.
For a visitor, a practical approach is to treat payment methods as backups for one another rather than assuming one will work everywhere. A phone may enable app payments, but it is not a requirement to buy a new device; having a bank card or some cash can provide alternatives when app setup or a particular payment channel is unavailable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Counts 1,300 bills per minute,Specifications: Authenticates bills using ultraviolet (5520 UV) and magnetic (5520 UV/MG) sensors
- Operating Modes: count, count, add, and batch Modes; add + batch mode. Infrared detectors ensure that bills are counted accurately and avoid errors such as chains, double bills and half notes
- Infrared sensors detect chain, double, and half notes,Dimensions unit: 10.9''w x 9.9''d x 6.2''h (277mm x 251mm x 157mm)
- Snap-open front cover, self-diagnostic system, and self-lubricating bearings
- Batch presets Plus programmable 1-101.Capacity- Hopper - 100 Bills Stacker - 100 Bills .Bill Loading Style: Back Loader
Rank #4
- Precise Detection: PONNOR USD/EUR money counter has 4 detection methods to detect all kind of bills UV,IR,MG and DD;If fake/broken money are detected, the screen will be red and the alarm will sound.
- 3.7” Large LCD Display: PONNOR cash counter with a built in 3.7” super large LCD screen, it can clearly display different data and greatly reduces the possibility of false counts; the external display provides dual views, allows customers from different angles to read data at any time.
- Innovative 12 keys design: 12 keys provide a full set of numeric keyboards and 11 functions, including auto, manual, batch, add, value, currency, set, UV, IR, DD, MG; the numeric keys allow you to not only calculate fixed number of notes in batch functions, but you can freely set the number of notes you want to calculate.
- Efficient and Accurate Counting: The upgraded version of the bill counter has upgraded and enhanced motor has higher speed and stable accuracy;it can count more than 1300 bills/min smoothly, and the noise keep less than 60dB; the large hopper capacity can hold 200 bills, meeting the maximum demand of various occasions.
- The plug is American standard and has a voltage of 110V, which can only be used in the United States. If you want to use it in other countries or for other voltages, please purchase a voltage converter, otherwise it may cause damage to the machine.
What the evidence does—and does not—show
- Established: Banks processed 210.980 billion mobile-payment transactions worth RMB563.70 trillion in 2024, according to the PBOC’s 2025 report.
- Established: The PBOC describes mobile payments as widespread and as having displaced some use of cash and cards.
- Established: State policy aims to preserve multiple payment choices, while cash-service rules support cash acceptance in specified circumstances.
- Not established by these figures: That cash has vanished, that nobody uses it, or that a particular percentage of Chinese purchases is cashless.
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