The announcement No.18 issued by the PBOC stressed that non-bank payment institutions should give full consideration to the usage of both non-cash and cash payments. No party shall reject cash or take discriminatory measures to exclude cash payments. Public promotion of the concept of cashless payment is forbidden and financial institutions and public service should set up manual cash payment channels.

In China, about 13% of residents still rely on cash payment including the elderly and non-smartphone users. Cashless payment is convenient for many people but should not bring barriers to the group that use cash.