JINAN -- At the Agricultural Bank of China's (ABC) three outlets in Jinan city, cards are no longer needed to withdraw money. A quick scan of the face will do. "One of the best things about facial recognition technology is that you don't have to carry your cards with you for petty deposits and withdrawals," said Xu Yanru, lobby manager of ABC's Heping Road outlet in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province. ABC has introduced facial recognition technology at its automatic teller machines (ATM). Other banks, such as the China Merchants Bank and the Construction Bank of China, have also introduced similar technology in their ATMS. "All you have to do is to press the facial recognition withdrawal button, scan your face in the camera, enter your phone number or ID number, and enter your transaction amount and password," said Zhang Baojing, a banking manager at ABC. Zhang said that the technology can eliminate the risk of having bank cards illegally copied, and lower the possibility of cards getting eaten by ATMS. "It can enhance the customer experience," Zhang said. Technology staff at ABC said that facial recognition is safe because it also requires ID numbers or phone numbers and passwords. In addition, customers' photos will be compared with those in the public security system. The latest infrared cameras also lower the risk of illegal activities. The ABC limits the daily withdrawal to 3,000 yuan ($457) via the technology. The bank plans to install the facial recognition technology at 24,064 outlets across the country, according to web portal Sohu.com. ABC is not the first bank in China to introduce the facial recognition technology. In 2015, China Merchants Bank started using the technology in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen. Last year, it expanded the service to about 1,000 ATMs in 106 cities. But the new service faces some difficulties, such as high maintenance costs. "Many senior citizens might find it hard to trust or get used to this way of withdrawing money," said Yang Gan of the Smart City Research Institute in Southwest China's Guizhou province. But Yang said it will only be a matter of time before the technology permeates society. "In the future, payment via facial recognition and mobile payment will be complementary," Yang said. In China, the rapid development of facial recognition technology has led to its use in a number of innovative ways. Beijing's Temple of Heaven has used it in toilets to deter toilet paper theft. In Jinan city, traffic police have installed facial scanners at intersections to catch and shame jaywalkers. Supermarkets in some big cities have been using the technology at bag deposit areas. Beijing Normal University debuted its first facial scanners in April and expanded their use in all dorms during the summer break. Currently, 70 percent of students have had their face recorded. A facial scan is required for new freshman students, according to the school. how to take off festival wristbandrubber silicone braceletsglow wristbandstrio spinnerswide rubber bandscustom printed wristbandscool wristbands
The railway staff are preparing the 15 yuan ($2.2) meal boxes.[Photo/VCG] Passengers travelling on 27 major high-speed rail stations will be able to pre-order meals online that will be delivered to their seats from July 17, according to Beijing-based China Youth Daily. The move marks China's railway offering more food and beverage options to travelers for the first time. Passengers taking G or D-bullet trains or electric multiple unit (EMU) trains will be able to order food through 12306.cn website and app and the meal will be delivered to their seats. Travelers will be prompted about ordering meals when booking the ticket via 12306.cn. The web page will display multiple types of box lunches and snacks. Passengers can pay through Alipay and WeChat. The staff members will take the ordered food to the passengers during meal time. The railway authorities scrapped the rule that passengers had to be provided the 15 yuan ($2.2) meal box on Jan 1. The trains could sell the 15 yuan package or not, but it is no longer mandatory that the railway staff members have to provide the meal, said Huang Xin, deputy director of the operation department of the transportation bureau of China Railway Corp. To meet the varied demands, the railway department has developed over 400 kinds of food, with the price as low as 10 yuan for dumplings, steamed buns and bread. According to an official, all the food and beverage products could be sold at marked prices on 12306.cn. The railway will supervise qualifications of vendors, conditions of food producers in accordance with national laws and regulations to provide safe food for travelers.
