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A rural film projectionist looks at cine film at a film exhibition studio in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, on October 23, 2022

Mobile payment has become the norm for most people in China, replacing the need for physical cash or cards. This is largely due to the widespread adoption of third-party payment apps like Alipay and Weixin Pay. A 2021 report by the Payment & Clearing Association of China found that 74% of Chinese consumers used mobile payments daily in 2020. QR code scanning was the preferred method for 95.2% of these transactions. This shift towards digital payments has transformed China into a predominantly cashless society.

China's widespread adoption of e-payment apps and high smartphone ownership have made it a largely cashless society. With over 950 million smartphone users in 2021, China surpasses India, the U.S., and Indonesia combined. While mobile payment offers convenience, it has also led to "cash discrimination," with some merchants refusing cash payments. This poses challenges for senior citizens in underdeveloped areas who may lack access to digital platforms.

Despite the rise of mobile payments in China, the People's Bank of China has emphasized the importance of cash as the country's legal tender and fundamental payment tool. Recognizing its necessity in meeting diverse public needs, the central bank has pledged to combat cash refusal by merchants and enhance the convenience of using cash. However, cash usage has been declining in recent decades, and with China's rapid development and technological advancements, many other physical items are expected to become obsolete.

A rare sight

Public transportation in cities like Beijing used to rely on physical transit cards like the Yikatong, introduced in 2006. These cards required a 20-yuan deposit and had to be recharged at service outlets or vending machines. Losing the card meant losing the remaining balance. However, technology has improved the system, allowing users to recharge their physical cards through the Beijing Yikatong app using NFC technology. This eliminates the need to visit physical locations for recharging and offers a more convenient way to manage transit fares.

The Beijing Subway now accepts QR code payments through Alipay, allowing riders to simply scan a code generated within the app to enter the station. This convenient payment method has also been implemented on all public buses in Beijing. As of May 2021, over 200 cities in China offered this service, making physical transit cards increasingly rare.

Other items going out of style belong to the nation's film industry.

Around 1980, film teams consisting of two or three projectionists were formed in villages and towns across China. Their goal was to spread cultural and agricultural knowledge among rural communities. Villages would cover the cost of the films, allowing locals to watch them for free. These rural film projectionists had to transport heavy equipment, including film projectors, film canisters, audio equipment, and even power generators. Liu Liang, a 58-year-old projectionist, described carrying over 100 kg of equipment in the early days. However, with the advent of digital projectors, the burden of heavy equipment has been lifted.

In recent years, there has been growing discussion in China about the declining presence of televisions, which were once a focal point in family living rooms. This shift is reflected in the sales figures: according to The Beijing News, China's television sales plummeted to 36.34 million units in 2022, marking the lowest sales volume in the past decade.

And the downturn continues.

In the first half of 2023, China's color TV market experienced a significant downturn. Sales dropped 12.2% year-on-year to 14.67 million units, while revenue fell 8.5% year-on-year to 48.7 billion yuan ($6.7 billion), according to data from All View Cloud, a big data service provider. This decline reflects a continuing trend in the consumer electronics market.

Many Chinese netizens admit that while they own televisions, they seldom use them. The popularity of home projectors and the abundance of online video platforms have disrupted the traditional dominance of television as a primary source of entertainment. 

A new picture develops

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The rise of new technology doesn't always lead to the complete disappearance of older methods. A prime example is the resurgence of analog photography, also known as film photography, even after digital cameras became widely popular. 

Shanghai-based photographer Zhang Hang notes a key distinction between film and digital photography: film photographers, limited by the number of exposures on a roll, must carefully consider each shot before taking it. This encourages more thoughtful composition and creativity. Digital photographers, on the other hand, often shoot first and evaluate later. Additionally, some people prefer the unique color tone and texture of film photos.

Zhang further emphasizes the technical skill required in developing film photos, highlighting the importance of darkroom techniques in achieving a high-quality final product. He contrasts digital photography as a result-oriented process, while film photography is more process-oriented. Zhang concludes by stating that it's difficult to determine which form of photography is superior, as new technologies don't always replace older methods.

Some items from the past, though no longer part of daily life, continue to be cherished. Enamel washbasins adorned with the double xi, the Chinese character for happiness, were once a key component of a bride's dowry in China. While these basins have now been replaced by plastic versions or other modern household items, in collector Wang Yanping's studio in Beijing's Shunyi District, a wall is dedicated to displaying them. 

"The old things, which reflect the development of Chinese society and culture, should be remembered," Wang told Beijing Review. She hopes that her collections and exhibitions will help more people, both in China and abroad, connect with Chinese culture and its social evolution. Wang also aspires to see more creativity in blending modern elements with traditional ones, making these items more appealing to China's younger generations.