A recent viral video from China has shed light on the challenges of a cashless society during emergencies. Filmed in Hainan, an island province hit hard by Super Typhoon Yagi, the video shows a large crowd gathered around a small stall with a generator, eagerly waiting to charge their phones. The storm, which made landfall on Friday and is also known as Makar in China, disrupted power supplies and led to water shortages across the region.
The video was shared on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption that underscores a significant issue: “Downside of cashless society. After the typhoon, the water and electricity were cut off, Chinese people desperately wanted to charge their phones.” The post highlights a critical flaw in China’s shift towards a cash-free economy. With all their money stored digitally on mobile phones, many found themselves unable to make purchases when power outages rendered their devices useless.
Downside of cashless society
Hainan, China🇨🇳
After the typhoon, the water and electricity were cut off, Chinese people desperately wanted to charge their phones.
Because all your money is in your mobile phone. Without a mobile phone, you can’t even buy a piece of bread. https://t.co/EfluhEUilv pic.twitter.com/IYEGEnW0Tr— Songpinganq (@songpinganq) September 9, 2024
The X account that shared the video elaborated on the situation, stating, “Because all your money is in your mobile phone. Without a mobile phone, you can’t even buy a piece of bread.” This commentary reflects growing concerns about the vulnerabilities in a system where digital transactions are so heavily relied upon.
While some social media users praised the initiative of citizens setting up the generator to help others, others criticized the cashless system’s limitations, particularly in emergency situations.
Less than a year ago, Chinese state media touted China as a leading example of cash-free transactions, with cash comprising only 3.7% of the total money in circulation. The rise of payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay has driven this shift.
As Super Typhoon Yagi continues to affect Hainan, the situation has prompted a broader discussion about the resilience of cashless systems in times of crisis.