''CHINA'S SENIORS EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY''

''FOR many Chinese, mobile payments have become an essential part of their everyday lives. They not only change the lives of young people, but also provide convenience for the elderly,'' said Zhang Jianjun, an economist based in Gansu.

China had more than 241 million people aged 60 or above at the end of 2017, 17.3 percent of the total population at the time................

Thanks to longer life expectancy and a shift of demographics, that will rise to about one-quarter of the population by the 2030.

CHINA'S elderly emerge as boom market for mobile payment firms, digital economy players.

For more than a decade, Ma Wansheng  ran a small food food stand in a night market in Lanzhou, capital city of   Northwest China's gansu province, providing local snacks for people working overtime or hitting the bar.

Accepting payments proved a hassle for the 71-year old, who often had to fumble in his pocket for change on chilly nights, while keeping an eye on food cooking in the oven.

Doing business became much easier after his grandson helped him set up mobile payment apps like  WeChat Pay and AliPay last year. A piece of paper with his QR payment codes has helped streamline the checkout process.

''About 65 percent of my customers pay with their phones, It's convenient for both of us,'' said Ma. ''And giving the wrong change is no longer tan issue.''

Like Ma, an increasing number of China's senior citizens  have embraced Internet-based mobile technology and many have also started to enjoy the convenience of mobile payment. apps.

According to a report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at the end of 2017, the ratio of Internet users who are 60 or above rose to 5.2 percent, up 1.2 percentage points in a year. [The CASS is yet to release data for 2018].

The Honor and Serving of the latest Operational Research on elderly Chinese and Technology, continues. The World Students Society thanks author Ouyang Shijia.