The QR Code Is King

In a world where everything is online, digital, electronic and so on, we’ve all become slaves to the QR code. From shopping to sending friend invites on social media and messaging apps, signing up or logging in to various accounts, and verifying identities – everything seems to lead back to the QR code.

Before coming to China, the QR code was a rather bizarre concept to me. I saw it every now and then, but NFC (Near Field Communication) wasn’t really a thing yet – a few phones were NFC-compatible, and some businesses were just beginning to implement it. Paying with cash or debit card was the norm. Upon arriving in China, I had to get used to the extension of NFC, i.e. WeChat Pay and/or Alipay (I didn’t have an iPhone, so Apple Pay wasn’t an option, and I still haven’t quite figured out Huawei Wallet). Shop owners would give me odd looks when I offered to pay with cash, and debit card payments were practically non-existent.

Three years later, friends and colleagues still ask me why I carry cash. Mostly, it’s out of habit, and it’s always a good idea to carry some in case your phone battery dies – despite the ubiquity of power bank rentals, it does happen. But I digress.

Not a day goes by without being asked to scan or be scanned. When entering the metro, you scan to board; the same applies to buses. When paying for groceries or Starbucks, you simply present your WeChat/Alipay-generated QR code or your digital store card. Even restaurants have adapted – while paper menus are still available (mainly for new expats or out-of-towners, I imagine), many establishments have implemented systems whereby scanning a QR code – mounted on or attached to the table – launches a mini-program that allows patrons to order and pay for their meals. Bonus points for environmental friendliness. In some cases, the mini-program is linked to an official account that keeps customers updated on events, menu changes, and so on.

To support contactless payments, deliveries, and social distancing, many museums, galleries, bubble tea shops, and retailers like Uniqlo adopted official accounts or mini-programs accessed via QR code. These platforms allow users to book or pay for tickets, receive updates, and access digital services such as audio guides.