China News Service, December 15th. According to the website of the central bank, the central bank recently issued an announcement on the regulation of RMB cash receipts and payments, proposing that no discriminatory or non-convenient measures should be taken to exclude cash payments, creating a "digital divide."
The announcement proposes four basic principles:
-Maintain the status of RMB as legal tender.
The renminbi is my country’s legal tender, and renminbi cash is the most basic means of payment in my country. No unit or individual may refuse to accept it.
The People's Bank of China has adopted a number of measures to standardize cash management, improve the efficiency of cash circulation, and ensure the reasonable, safe and smooth use of cash by the public.
——Encourage the harmonious development of payment methods.
Cash has irreplaceable advantages in protecting the public's right to pay, promoting cultural dissemination, and stabilizing public expectations in extreme cases.
Non-cash payment is a development based on cash.
The two are compatible, coexistent and develop harmoniously.
——Respect the public's right to choose independently.
All types of entities should respect the public's right to choose payment methods, and provide the public with legal and safe non-cash payment tools under the premise of ensuring the smooth flow of cash payment channels.
——Do not exclude or discriminate against cash payments.
The innovation of consumption and payment methods must be conducive to a smooth payment circulation environment, to protect people's livelihood, and to enhance the public's sense of happiness and sense of acquisition. Discriminatory or non-convenience measures should not be taken to exclude cash payments and create a "digital divide."
Data map: Citizens are using mobile phones to pay for shopping.
Wang Fangshe
Announcement made specifications on the main body of cash receipt and payment.
The announcement requires that due to the need for providing goods and services to the outside world or performing duties and management in accordance with the law, various entities that have collection and payment behaviors should abide by relevant laws and regulations on RMB management and consciously regulate cash collection and payment behavior.
Relevant departments or units handling administrative fees shall set up manual cash collection and payment channels if they adopt the method of self-collection; if the method of entrusted collection is adopted, the entrusting party shall expressly request the entrusted party to set up through agreements, notices, statements and other written forms Manual cash payment channels; for the promotion of digital government affairs, the needs of people who do not use smart devices and possible emergencies should be fully considered to meet the public's cash payment needs.
Manual cash collection and payment channels refer to service windows or counters where personnel are on duty, collect cash, and provide change.
Public service organizations that have a wide range of stakeholders and are closely related to people's livelihood, such as social security, medical care, education, water, electricity, gas, heating, cable TV, communications, oil (gas) stations, etc., which adopt self-charging methods, should set up artificial cash Receipt and payment channels: If the entrusted collection method is adopted, the entrusting party shall expressly require the entrusted party to set up manual cash payment channels in written forms such as agreements, notices, and statements.
Operating entities such as railways, road passenger transport, urban public buses and trams, urban rail transit, port passenger stations, and ferry terminals should set up cash payment channels or provide conversion means.
Taxi operators or drivers can support multiple payment methods, but should accept cash payment.
Cash collection and payment channels refer to physical places where manual or self-service cash machines provide cash collection and change services.
The provision of conversion means refers to the alternative measures taken by relevant operating entities to accept cash from customers when they do not have the conditions to directly accept cash.
Large and medium-sized commercial institutions, especially business establishments such as wholesale and retail, catering and accommodation, residential services, culture, sports, and entertainment, should set up cash collection and payment channels.
Business parks, factories, scenic spots and other business premises that adopt the all-in-one card form and conduct closed management should support cash card purchases, recharges, and card refunds.
Small businesses, micro businesses, family workshops, individual businesses, mobile vendors, etc. that provide goods and services in a face-to-face manner can support multiple payment methods, but should accept cash payment.
For business premises where unmanned sales are conducted, the business entity shall mark the exit and entrance in a prominent place, stating the payment method, operation process and service contact number.
The cash payment needs of consumers under special circumstances (such as insufficient mobile phone power, network failure, etc.) should be met in an appropriate manner, and explanations should be made to the public.
Online sales operators that provide cash on delivery shall support cash payment at the place of delivery.
If all transactions, payments, and services are completed through the Internet, the business entity shall publicize the payment method in advance.
The announcement stated that various business entities should clarify the cash receipt and payment labels and publicize them in a conspicuous position, and provide explanations and guidance; if conversion means are provided, no handling fees or forced tying of other commodities should be charged.
If there is a dispute between the receiving and paying parties over the inconsistency of the cash coupon type and material negotiation, it shall be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the People's Bank of China.
For other situations, various business entities should conduct negotiations based on the principles of compliance with laws and regulations, respect for the public's right to choose, and maintain the status of RMB as legal tender.
In addition, the announcement also regulates the main body of cash receipt and payment services.
Financial institutions, non-bank payment institutions, and self-service machine manufacturers should implement relevant regulations on RMB management to optimize cash services.
Where financial institutions and customers face-to-face financial services involving cash receipt and payment and fee payment, the financial institution shall set up manual cash receipt and payment channels in business premises.
Financial institutions, as the trustees of administrative fees or public service fees, shall set up manual cash payment channels.
Banking financial institutions should take cash services as their basic business, fully consider the demand for cash use and the convenience of access, and ensure that the coverage and protection levels of infrastructure such as cash business outlets and self-service cash machines meet public needs.
Banking financial institutions should strengthen the promotion and guidance of business entities that open accounts with their institutions, and guide them to strictly abide by cash receipt and payment regulations.
Non-bank payment institutions should give full consideration to the compatibility of non-cash payment and cash payment, and provide prompts to their service targets, and must not require or induce other units or individuals to reject cash or take discriminatory measures to exclude cash payment, and must not adopt various forms Promote the concept of cashless payment or discriminatory cash payment.
Machine manufacturers and service providers such as self-service vending machines and self-service ticket vending machines must fully consider the demand for cash receipts and payments when developing and providing machines and services, so that multiple payment tools are compatible, and cash payments must not be excluded.
Self-service equipment manufacturers and service providers should actively cooperate in the promotion of cash use to optimize the cash circulation environment.
The announcement requires that the industry competent department of the cash receipt and payment business entity implement the main responsibility, guide and standardize the cash receipt and payment related behaviors, and shall not issue management regulations that are contrary to the cash receipt and payment management requirements of the People's Bank of China.
The public has the right to independently choose the payment method. If they are excluded or discriminated against due to cash payment, they should retain the evidence and report to the local branch of the People's Bank of China in a timely manner to protect their rights in accordance with the law.
The public should cultivate good cash usage habits, consciously love the renminbi and maintain its image.
The announcement emphasizes that any unit or individual that refuses to accept cash or adopts discriminatory measures to exclude cash payments and other violations of laws and regulations shall be investigated and dealt with in accordance with the law by the branch of the People's Bank of China in conjunction with relevant local authorities.