Beijing News You Might Have Missed This Week, Oct 28
Beijing is a happening city! Don't miss a thing with our weekend roundup of the latest news.
Tencent Unleases Palm-Scanning Payment Technology in China: Tencent Holdings, a prominent Chinese tech firm, is set to revolutionize payment methods by introducing palm-scanning technology at the Ying Tung Natatorium, located within Beijing's National Olympic Sports Center, according to China Daily. This innovative move, which could potentially supersede smartphone payments, is expected to augment the application of cashless pay-by-palm systems across China, according to industry specialists.
WeChat Pay rolled out its pay-by-palm services in May, enabling commuters to pay for their journeys on the Daxing International Airport Line with a simple wave of their palm. This marked the world's first metro line to endorse such an advanced payment method.
The company's recent data unveils that by October, hundreds of thousands of users had already embraced the pay-by-palm services for their subway commutes. At present, WeChat's innovative pay-by-palm service has found implementation in various sectors such as transportation, sports, academia, retail, hospitality, and shared charging services.
Beijing Experienced Unprecedented October Heat on Record: Beijing experienced its hottest late October day on record, with temperatures exceeding 27 degrees Celsius, reports the Sun Daily. This unusual weather comes as the world is on track for its hottest year in history, evidenced by heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires across different continents, notably Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
Earlier this week, Beijing's Nanjiao Observatory recorded an all-time high of 27.5 degrees Celsius for late October. This temperature anomaly wasn't limited to the capital; surrounding northern regions also witnessed temperatures nearing or exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
China's climate has been increasingly volatile. This summer, the country experienced record-breaking temperatures followed by heavy downpours in August that led to significant flooding in northern regions, including areas near Beijing.
Palace Museum Unveils New Appointment System for Streamlined Entry: The Palace Museum announced a new appointment system effective from November 1, 2023, aimed at optimizing the visitor experience during the off-season, reports Shouduzhichuang. Under this system, morning appointments allow entry until noon, while afternoon appointments commence from 11am.
Zhang Bohui, Deputy Director of the Open Management Office at the Palace Museum, assured that this arrangement provides sufficient time for visitors, reducing wait times at the Meridian Gate and ensuring a fulfilling visit.
To aid punctuality, the Palace Museum will send reminders via WeChat mini-program pop-ups and text messages to those who have successfully booked tickets, urging them to stick to their scheduled visit times.
READ: Beijing News You Might Have Missed This Week, Oct 21
Images: Unsplash
