Virus could hasten China's digital currency launch

The novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak could accelerate the issuance of government-backed digital currency in China. [Photo/sipaphoto.com]

BEIJING, Feb 17 (China Daily/ANN) -- The novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak could change people's habit of using cash and increase their reliance on electronic payment, which in turn could accelerate the issuance of government-backed digital currency in China, according to analysts.

Although it is still not known how long the virus survives on the surface of paper notes and coins, the epidemic has constrained face-to-face cash transactions, they said, considering that the primary means of spreading novel coronavirus is through physical contact with respiratory droplets.