Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Many more businesses in China today accept credit cards than just a few years ago. Cards are also easy to use at Capital International Airport in Beijing, select hotels and bank outlets to get Chinese currency. The entire payment approach has been streamlined and regulations loosened to allow freer flow of funds as the nation prepares for its biggest global event, the 2008 Olympics. By June 2008 the use of foreign cards became as convenient as local bank cards in areas near the Olympic Games. Currency exchange is now available at many large shops, tourist sites and every bank outlet.

    Changes in modes of payment and easier exchange seem to have happened quickly, but it has actually taken years of hard work by the Chinese government. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have viewed modernization of the payment environment as crucial to preparations for the 2008 Games. In March 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao directed the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and nine ministries and commissions to help further develop consumer financial instruments. A year later the group issued guidelines that specified goals and how to reach them.

    Led by the PBOC headquarter, State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and Beijing municipal government, PBOC operations office coordinates with some other relevant sectors, then specified rules on credit card services, accounts, foreign currency exchange and cash.

    By the end of June, 2008, the main tasks of the Guidelines have been fulfilled satisfactorily and every indicator reaches or exceeds the related goals, which will provide a strong financial support for a distinctive and high-level Olympic Games.

    Main achievements

    Beijing's environment for credit card use has reached the level of major cities in developed countries. Businesses accepting credit cards number about 110,000 in the city, 129 percent more than at the end of 2006. Some 152,000 points of sale and 9,400 ATM machines now accept credit cards. At Olympic venues, 94.3 percent of businesses take renminbi cards and 90.85 percent accommodate international credit cards, respectively 48 and 65 percent higher than a year ago.     

    Currency exchange services have also been improved. By the end of last month 2,000 bank outlets were qualified to offer exchange services. Among them, all 295 are located in areas near the Games. As well, 330 hotels - 80 percent of the three-star or above hotels in Beijing - offer currency exchange. There are also 10 exchange outlets at Beijing Capital International Airport.

    Bank account and cash services also have been improved. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange issued two temporary regulations to simplify foreign exchange at PBOC branches in Olympics areas. The condition of currency in circulation has also been improved through issuance of 36.55 billion yuan new notes in the first half of the year, an increase of 211.2 percent over the same period last year. The portion of renminbi suitable for circulation is now 80.2 percent, 9 percent more than at the end of 2006.

    Other improvements include priority counters for exchange services in Olympics areas and signs in English at ATMs and exchange centers. Some banks will also have longer business hours to offer services and consulting. The overall banking system has been augmented to stop illegal credit card use, counterfeit currencies and illegal foreign currency exchanges.

    Main Working Measures

    The operations office of the People's Bank of China has made a range of moves to facilitate payment and currency exchange for the upcoming Olympic Games.

    Among the measures now in place are:

    1. Access for the disabled at small or medium sized merchants.

    2. Greater numbers of businesses accepting foreign credit cards.

    3. Directed commercial banks open branches near the Olympics and required hotels, restaurants and other currency exchange sites to provide better exchange services.

    4. Allowed international currency exchange operations such as Travelex to open outlets at the Capital International Airport in Beijing.

    5. Simplified foreign currency exchange services, including the opening of special Olympics accounts.

    6. Assigned experienced staff to their media office for Olympic services.

    7. Improved the overall quality of currency in circulation by releasing new notes.

    8. Minted more coins for use in subways and shopping malls.

    9. Provided sufficient cash reserves for the Olympic period and asked banks to improve their cash service.

    10. Held training sessions on how to distinguish counterfeits in 17 types of currencies.

    11. Held tests on how to cope with emergencies including problems with points of sale transactions.

    12. Strengthened coordination with police to fight illegal use of credit cards, printing or using counterfeit currencies and illegal foreign exchange transactions.     

    Enjoy the Financial Services

    The upcoming Olympic Games is set to draw huge numbers of visitors, volunteers, athletes and officials to Beijing. The security and convenience of their payments for travel and other spending, the security and convenience of their payment, are concerns not only of themselves, but also service providers here in Beijing. A representative of the People's Bank of China, the nation's central bank, talked to the media about what financial services are offered in Beijing during Olympic Games.

    Q: It is well known that credit cards and traveler's checks are main financial instruments used by foreigners. Is it convenient to use them in Beijing?

    A: Special arrangements have been made for about 110,000 shops in Beijing to accept bank cards. Around Olympics stadiums about 90 percent of all points of sale accept renminbi cards and foreign credit cards. Foreigners and Chinese residents can use their cards in places that carry Unionpay, Visa and other logos.

    Q: If they need getting help, how can consumers get help with bank card problems?

    A: The best way is to call 12345, the consultation and complaints number that is connected to a non-emergency help system established by the Beijing municipal government.

    Q: It is convenient to use bank cards in Beijing, but if foreigners want to pay cash how can they change foreign currency to renminbi?

    A: There are 2,400 institutions including bank outlets and qualified currency exchange institutions providing currency exchange services in the Chinese capital. They are located in hotels, the three terminal buildings of Beijing Capital International Airport and other sites. ATMs in some of them make it easier.

    Only a valid identity document such as a passport is needed. Mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents can be used, as well as travel permits for Taiwan residents.

    Light boxes and exchange signs are conspicuous outside banks in key areas. Some outlets set aside priority counters for exchange services. The range and prices of currencies are displayed on LEDs. All currency exchange sites accept US dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars. Seventeen currencies can be exchanged in all Beijing outlets of the Bank of China. The staff can provide services in English.

    Q: How to change renminbi back to foreign currencies?

    A: All the outlets and institutions mentioned above can do it. But they should pay attention to the regulations issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. According to the regulation, total amount converted by an individual per day cannot exceed $1,000 at locations in customs areas. Up to $50,000 can be exchanged back with valid identity documents in the city's Chinese banking outlets. If they have more money than that, an exchange memo, which is available when converting foreign currencies to renminbi, should be provided.

    Currency regulations written in both Chinese and English are available in all banking outlets to provide more details.

    Q: How can foreign customers detect counterfeits? What can they do if they get counterfeit currency?

    A: Consumers could get a copy of the security guide from banking outlets that outlines security technologies of the fifth series of the renminbi and ways to confirm real notes. In case of counterfeit notes, our suggestion is to hand them in to police or outlets of the Bank of China. Obviously, it's rare to get counterfeit currency in Beijing.