A total of 50,000 people have been chosen through a random lucky draw and will receive red envelopes each containing 200 yuan (US$29) in digital currency.
Under a pilot program to promote the use of digital currency by Shenzhen and the People’s Bank of China, the winning applicants started to receive a notification text message from iShenzhen service platform and the download link for use of the digital yuan app to receive the red envelopes.
With the red envelopes, the users can shop in 3,989 designated businesses like supermarkets, department stores and eateries in Luohu, which funded the program.
Since the launch of applications for use and promotion of digital currency Friday, a total of 1.91 million residents had registered through iShenzhen system by 6 p.m. Sunday.
The program is an innovative move to spur consumption and domestic demand during the regular control and prevention of COVID-19, and a routine test in the currency’s research and development process, according to local authorities.
The digital yuan program will be piloted in selected regions including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and some eligible locations in midwestern China, according to the Ministry of Commerce.