It is becoming a growing trend that more and more consumers across the country are using cashless payment methods. The rapid development of third-party mobile payment tools is helping to boost cashless payments across the country, said Dong Ximiao, a researcher at the Renmin University of China.
Transactions (交易) involving third-party mobile payments rose by 46.8 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the previous quarter to 18.8 trillion yuan, according to a report released in May.
Although there were 3.4 billion third-party payment accounts in total in China in 2016, China is not the first country to seek a cashless society. Developed states like Sweden, Denmark and Singapore are also witnessing that increase.
However, the rapid development of cashless payments does not mean there are no challenges and criticisms. Alibaba’s Hema store, where customers can shop, dine and order commodities for delivery from their mobile phones via Alipay, has come into the spotlight recently. Media reports said that consumers can’t purchase goods with cash there, which would be considered illegal.
Alipay and WeChat Pay, the nation’s two major third-party mobile payment tools, also launched campaigns this month to encourage more merchants and customers to use cashless payment methods, which caused concerns over whether cash will soon disappear.
“Some offline sellers refuse to accept cash, which impacts the natural circulation of yuan,” said Dong. He emphasized that a cashless society would not mean that cash would completely disappear. As the economy grows, the circulation of cash is still very huge, noted Dong. Also, it’s important to remember that nearly half of China’s population live in rural areas, especially in undeveloped western regions, unable to enjoy innovation (革新) brought by the Internet, Dong said. And when it comes to China’s senior citizens, most of them prefer to use cash in their daily lives, he added.
“It’s ridiculous to question digital payment tools’ contribution toward financial development. In the long term, various payment methods will be used by consumers, and merchants should respect consumers’ payment habits,” Dong noted.
28.What does the underlined word “ that” in paragraph 3 probably refer to?
A. Economic activity.         B. Cashless payment.
C. Development of economy. D. Large amount of payment.
29.Why has Alibaba’s Hema store become a focus?
A. It fights against illegal activities.
B. It provides comprehensive services.
C. Customers are not permitted to use cash there.
D. It starts campaigns to encourage mobile payment.
30.Which of the following will Dong find reasonable?[来源:Z*xx*k.Com]
A. Various payment methods ought to be respected.
B. People should be encouraged to use mobile payment.
C. Most elderly people have no access to mobile payment.
D. Mobile payment isn’t beneficial to a cost-effective society.
31.What is the text mainly about?
A.China’s cashless trend.
B. The research on mobile payment.
C. The reasons to use mobile payment.
D. China’s cashless future.


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