CHINA'S non-cash payment system remain underdeveloped and the nation will encourage increased use of bank cards and electronic services before next year's Olympics, according to the central bank.

The People's Bank of China will seek to encourage the use of debit and credit cards to a level that more matches the nation's economic development, said a statement posted on its Website yesterday, which cited Deputy Governor Su Ning. Chinese banks had issued 1.8 billion debit cards and 50 million credit cards by the end of last year, the statement said.