North China's Shanxi province recently issued the "Implementation Plan for Further Optimizing Payment Services and Enhancing Payment Convenience in Shanxi Province". This plan aims to improve the quality of the province's payment services, optimize the business environment, and promote high-level opening-up.

The plan prioritizes building both online and offline payment scenarios, improving the quality and efficiency of cash payment, domestic and foreign bank card acceptance, mobile payment, and account-based payment services, focusing on key locations such as international airports, high-speed railway stations, three-star hotels and above, 4A-level scenic spots and above, large commercial areas, and characteristic urban clocks.

The plan proposes that by June 2024, a batch of payment convenience projects be implemented and the development of payment service demonstration zones be initiated. It also aims to increase the acceptance rate of domestic and foreign bank cards by key merchants, make opening a bank account easier for foreign visitors to Shanxi, and expand the "Wallet of Small Change" service.

By September 2024, the acceptance rate of domestic and foreign bank cards by key merchants should be significantly increased, all foreign visitors should be able to easily open bank accounts, and the service scope of the "Wallet of Small Change" service should be constantly expanded. Additionally, several payment service demonstration zones with complete facilities and convenient services should be built.

The plan also states that by December 2024, the province's multi-level and diversified payment service system should be further improved, addressing the most fundamental difficulties encountered by elderly people, foreign visitors, and other groups in making payments.