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In China, almost everything is done online or via mobile, so much so that in some places, cash transactions aren’t even an option. For tourists like us, coming from a place where QR code payments are only just starting to catch on, China's fully cashless, faceless, and paperless services can feel feels incredibly modern and impressive.
It’s clear that Chinese society, known for its advancements in technology and AI, has effectively leveraged these innovations to improve the standard of living and make everyday life more technology-friendly for the general public.
China, with a population of approximately 1.411 billion, boasts 1.1 billion mobile internet users, an impressive 99.7 percent penetration rate. In 2019, the country launched its latest generation of mobile data service, 5G. It is projected that over 1 billion people will be using this technology by the end of 2025. Currently, China is actively expanding its next-generation 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network.
China is the world's largest app market. There, the number of app downloads reached 113 billion in 2024. Alipay for digital payments is popular among the most downloaded WeChat superapps. The third most downloaded app is TikTok's Chinese version 'douyin', while TikTok itself is banned in China. Just like TikTok makers in Nepal, douyin video makers in China are seen dancing and talking in front of the screen. From grandparents to older parents, everyone is actively engaged on Douyin.
Chinese society, where English and other foreign languages are not widely spoken, has made extensive use of mobile and digital technology to communicate, translate, manage crowded public transport systems and domestic tourism, and preserve its cultural heritage. While they do use popular international products like Apple, there is a strong sense of pride in local innovations. People enthusiastically promote homegrown technology and brands when interacting with tourists and friends.
For tourists visiting China without understanding the local digital ecosystem, connecting to the internet can be quite challenging. While Apple devices tend to work relatively smoothly, it was nearly impossible to access the internet on older Android phones. Since Google, the Play Store, and other Google services are banned, even with a Wi-Fi connection, many common apps and browsers won’t function. The VPN I brought with me didn’t work either. Interestingly, for those looking to unplug and take a digital detox, China could be an ideal destination.
The Chinese company Huawei has developed its own app marketplace, 'AppGallery', which is widely used in China. As the country positions itself to compete with the West in areas like AI and semiconductor technology, it has made remarkable strides in both smartphone hardware and software. Chinese brands such as Vivo, which sold around 50 million phones in 2024, along with Huawei, Oppo, and Honor, which collectively sold approximately 4.5 million devices, are steadily eroding Apple’s share in the global market.
Back home, despite digital governance, I come from a system where I have to print online forms only to stand in line at a counter. Documents issued by one department have to be processed again by another within the same office. I often carry my laptop everywhere just to get things done, servers rarely work when needed, and simple tasks that could be handled from home require knocking on four different doors. But seeing how smoothly things work here inspires me to believe that such change is possible everywhere.
