经济日报：充分尊重公众支付选择权

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the "Regulations on Cash Payment and Services" aims to address the increasing incidents of cash refusal, reinforcing the authority of the legal currency, the Renminbi, in China [1][2]. Group 1: Regulations and Legal Framework - The People's Bank of China, along with the National Development and Reform Commission and the Financial Regulatory Bureau, has established clear standards for cash usage in circulation, emphasizing that cash cannot be refused except in specific legal circumstances [1]. - The law states that the Renminbi is the legal currency of the People's Republic of China, and all debts, public and private, must be paid in Renminbi, prohibiting any refusal of cash payments [1]. Group 2: Current Payment Trends - The popularity of mobile payment in China has reached 86%, leading to a decline in the number of cash users, transaction frequency, and cash transaction amounts [1]. - Issues related to cash payments, such as carrying change, counting amounts, verifying authenticity, and storage, are decreasing as digital payment methods become more prevalent [1]. Group 3: Implications of Cash Refusal - The refusal to accept cash is seen as a form of discrimination in the digital age, undermining market fairness and exacerbating the digital divide [2]. - The new regulations are intended to uphold the legal status of the Renminbi and eliminate barriers to cash payments, promoting a more inclusive payment system [2]. - The regulations do not negate non-cash payments but rather ensure that cash and non-cash payment methods can coexist and complement each other, enhancing the overall financial service coverage [2].