With the rapid development of third-party mobile payment tools,     1     increasing number of consumers across China are using cashless payment methods.

Transactions (交易)     2     (involve) third-party mobile payments rose by 39.1 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the previous quarter to 74 trillion yuan. Although China has the most third-party payment accounts in the world, it is not the     3     (one) country to seek a cashless society. Developed states like Sweden, Denmark and Singapore are also witnessing that increase.

    4    , the rapid development of cashless payments does not mean there are no challenges and criticisms. Alibaba’s Hema Fresh Store,     5     people can shop, dine and order goods for delivery from their mobile phones via Alipay,     6     (come) into the spotlight recently. Media reports say that consumers can’t purchase goods with cash there, which would be considered     7     (legal).

Alipay and WeChat Pay, the nation’s two major third-party mobile payment tools, have also launched campaigns to encourage more merchants and customers     8     (use) cashless payment methods, which has caused concerns over whether cash will soon disappear.

However, experts believe that a cashless society does not mean that cash will     9     (complete) disappear. As the economy grows, the circulation of cash is still very huge. In the long term, various payment     10     (method) will be used by consumers, and merchants should respect consumers’ payment habits.

The Chinese Consulate General (中国领事馆) in New York introduced mobile payments for     1    (it) service charges on Wednesday,    2    (become) the first Chinese delegation in the United States to adopt this form of payment.

Besides traditional cash and credit card payments, WeChat pay and Alipay are now available for customers, which is expected to greatly    3    (short) the payment time. The payments can be made in Chinese Yuan only and there will be no other additional charges.

According to Huang Ping, the Chinese consul-general in New York, there are over 1.2 million overseas Chinese in the 10 states on the U.S. East Coast    4    belong to his consular (领事的) district, and most of their mobile phones are equipped    5     WeChat pay or Alipay thanks to the rapid growth and ever-increasing    6    (popular) of mobile payments back in China over the recent years.

“We should keep pace with the times, provide more convenience for these potential customers, and make our services    7    (efficient),” said Huang. In the past years,    8     series of measures     9    (launch) by the Chinese Consulate General in New York to its services, including reduced processing time, lowered charges, and    10     (simplify) application requirements, according to Consul-general Huang.

In many places like Britain and Italy, if you leave the house without your wallet, you’ll be in a tough situation all day. But in China, you can enjoy your day just     1     a smart phone.

The other day, I set out     2     (see)how far a phone would get me in the country’s capital. Admittedly, I was surprised to discover how     3     (convenience)it was.

I used my phone to call a taxi to meet my Chinese friend, Gu Yu,     4     would guide me’ to get around Beijing. We paid for breakfast by scanning a QR code on the window of a restaurant     5    (sell)jianbing, one of China’s most popular street breakfasts. My purchase cost 6 yuan and     6     (take)just a few seconds. At a nearby coffee shop,     7     (it)owner scanned a QR code on my phone. As we sipped our coffee, Gu Yu paid her household water bill. She used the same simple process to pay other bills and even her rent. We also paid by phone for movie     8     (ticket), takeout food and to shop for goods for delivery.

I have known from Gu Yu that from tiny street stands to large chains,     9     huge number of people accept mobile payments,     10     (most)through popular apps Alipay and WeChat.