SHIJIAZHUANG - A giant quick response (QR) code in north China's Hebei Province has left social media users wondering what to make of the design, which can only be scanned from high above the ground. The QR code in Xilinshui Village, Baoding City, is made up of 130,000 Chinese juniper trees arranged to cover an area of 6.7 hectares. The QR code directs mobile users to an account that promotes local tourism. The account is managed by Haomeng Linshui Agriculture Technological Co. Ltd, which claims to offer a wide range of services, including agricultural tourism and catering businesses. The company was founded in 2016, according to the verified account. The story has caught the attention of netizens, but many mocked it as a publicity gimmick and questioned how mobile users were supposed to scan the code from mid-air. "Aren't we supposed to power off our phones on airplanes?" wrote user "Ouzhoudaxizuo" on microblog Sina Weibo. "First of all, you need a helicopter," read another Weibo comment. Xilinshui Village boasts forests, clean rivers and beautiful mountains. It was named one of the most beautiful villages in Hebei in 2015, according to the Baoding government. QR codes are becoming increasingly popular in China, particularly for making mobile payments, as the country moves toward a cashless society, and for publicity purposes. By the end of June 2017, China had 724 million mobile phone users. vinyl wristbandsprinted bracelets24hourwristbandscustom silicone bandsmotivational bracelets for athletescheap rubber wristbands
HONG KONG - Each eligible Hong Kong resident will receive a one-off hand-out of HK$4,000 (about $500) in a scheme of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, an official said on Friday.The Caring and Sharing Scheme will involve about 2.8 million residents and a total of HK$11 billion, said Paul Chan Mo-po, financial secretary of the Hong Kong SAR government.Under the new scheme, an eligible person who does not pay salaries tax will receive HK$4,000, and one who receives tax concession will get the difference between HK$4,000 and the amount of tax concession received.Eligible people include those who hold a Hong Kong identity card, ordinarily reside in Hong Kong and have reached the age of 18 on or before Dec 31 this year.They must not own any property in Hong Kong nor receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance payments, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance.Chan said people who pay no tax and live in self-owned domestic properties that benefit less than HK$4,000 in rates concession, or those who pay tax but benefit less than HK$4,000 through tax and rates concession in aggregate, can also apply for the balance.Social security recipients who are set to receive extra allowance under the 2018-19 Budget can also receive the difference between HK$4,000 and the extra payments received.Secretary for Labor and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said time is needed to handle the applications. He hoped the payments can be made before next year's budget.
