According to a Sunday report form Chinese state media outlet Global Times, Beijing’s mayor stated that the capital will hasten development of “demonstration zones” for fintech and professional services over 2021.
According to Coindesk, that effort will include promoting a pilot application for the CBDC, officially called Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP).
Shanghai’s mayor made a similar pledge to promote the digital currency, according to the report.
Its governor said that in Guangdong Province, authorities are to support Shenzhen’s development as an “innovative pilot zone” for the digital yuan.
All three statements were made on Sunday.
Shenzhen has recently declared that its third trial of DCEP, allowing the public to get their hands on the electronic cash via lottery-like giveaways.
The report also cites “industry observers” as saying the announcements mark a bigger push to promote the digital currency before a launch in the “near future.”