在中國，每五筆交易中就有近四筆是通過科技公司發展的手機應用程式進行的。然而，國家領導認為這些大型科技平台的影響力過大，準備推出全球首個官方電子貨幣。
中國人民銀行一直在試驗國家的數字貨幣。這樣的機制將使政府能夠更快地將現金轉移到窮人和銀行存款不足的人手中，同時也讓國家對資金流動進行更多的審查。
中國人民銀行作為中央銀行，並沒有試圖重塑貨幣政策 — 至少目前沒有。但理論上，央行推行數字人民幣，將獲得三項新的權力：將利率降低到零以下；直接向最需要的人發放現金；更精確地看到誰有錢，以及如何花錢。
日前，央行在成都開始最新的概念試驗 。該銀行已經向那裡的居民發放了總計20萬張代金券，總值4020萬元人民幣，這些代金券可以在16天內在某些本地和在線零售商店使用。
政府官員的計劃是，到明年2月北京舉辦冬奧會時，將全面實施的國家電子貨幣。
[Sustainable Development: Digital Transition] China’s digital-currency experiment
Nearly four out of every five transactions in China are conducted through mobile apps developed by technology companies. However, the country’s leaders believe that these large technology platforms have too much influence and so they are ready to launch the world’s first official e-currency.
The People’s Bank of China has been experimenting with the country’s digital currency. Such a mechanism would allow the government to transfer cash to the poor and underbanked more quickly, as well as giving the state more scrutiny over financial flows.
The People’s Bank of China, as the central bank, has not attempted to reshape monetary policy – at least not yet. But in theory, the central bank’s introduction of the digital renminbi (yuan) will give it three new powers: to lower interest rates below zero; issue cash directly to those most in need; and to see more precisely who has money and how it is spent.
Recently, the central bank started its latest concept trial in Chengdu. The bank has already distributed a total of 200,000 vouchers worth RMB 40.2 million to residents there, which can be used at certain local and online retail outlets within 16 days.
Government officials’ plan is to have a fully-implemented, national e-currency by the time the Winter Olympics are held in Beijing in February next year.
Source: “A bit of coin: China’s digital-currency experiment”, The Economist (adapted)
