Regulators in the Chinese capital will use the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to move citizens away from cash purchases to bank cards. They are hoping that bank cards will account for at least 38 per cent of consumer retail sales in the city by 2010 as opposed to just 10 percent last year.

In its 11th Five-Year-Plan (2006-2010), the municipal bureau of commerce says no-barrier card use will come into operation at all commercial establishments in the city's main business districts, hotels, tourist sites, Olympic Games Village, sport venues and adjacent areas.

To achieve the goal, commercial administrative departments at the municipal and district-level will work closely with professional bank card companies. Bank cards for all internationally accepted currencies will be accepted without barriers at all commercial establishments in Beijing by 2008.

The city will build or renovate about 30 commercial streets or markets in the coming years, and will also train frontline sales staff, especially those who work at shops on major business streets, in the Olympic Games Village, or the sports venues and areas in the vicinity.