① How to Use Mobile Payment

In China, using mobile payment has become very convenient and popular. Choosing a well-known and secure mobile payment app can enable functions such as money transfer, utility bill payment, online shopping, and more. Currently, Alipay and WeChat Pay are the most commonly used mobile payment applications. Let's take Alipay as an example and briefly introduce the basic steps of using mobile payment:

I. Registration and Login

Find the Alipay app in various app stores, download and install it on your phone or mobile device.

Register and create an account. During registration, you need to provide basic information such as your phone number, name, and ID number, and set a payment password.

After registration is complete, you can use your phone number or Alipay account to log in and start using mobile payment anytime.

II. Common Usage Scenarios

Money Transfer: Users can transfer money to other users or bank cards through Alipay, with real-time arrival supported. When making a transfer, users need to enter the other party's Alipay account or bank card number, transfer amount, and transfer remarks.

Scan and Pay: In supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, and other physical stores, users can scan the merchant's QR code for electronic payment through Alipay's "Scan" feature. After scanning, users need to enter the payment amount and confirm the payment; they can also display their Alipay account QR code for the merchant to scan and confirm payment.

Online Shopping: When shopping on e-commerce platforms or mobile apps, users can choose to pay using Alipay.

LifeService: Users can pay for daily living expenses such as water, electricity, gas, phone bills, cable TV fees, and traffic fines through Alipay. When paying, users need to select the payment item, enter the payment amount and payment account information, and then confirm and complete the payment.

III. Safety Precautions

Users can set up Alipay's security center and enable account protection measures such as payment passwords, SMS verification codes, and fingerprint recognition. Multiple security measures can enhance account security and protect funds.

Regularly check your payment records. Users can use Alipay's billing inquiry function to promptly discover and address any abnormalities.

When using Alipay, it is essential to protect personal information and payment passwords to avoid unnecessary losses. Avoid performing mobile payment operations when using public Wi-Fi to prevent information theft.

② How to Order Takeout Online

In China, instant retail, a popular new retail format, is a frequently used consumption method for consumers. This refers to a new retail and consumption model that allows consumers to place orders online and receive instant delivery of goods from offline stores such as restaurants, department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores through a highly efficient delivery system. Online ordering provides consumers with a wide range of choices, covering categories such as catering, general merchandise, flowers, and lifestyle services. High-quality goods bring a high-quality life at a lower cost.

If you don't want to go out or wait in line, ordering food online is very convenient. Therefore, ordering takeout online is the most common and frequently used method. So, how to order? Please see the following steps:

I. Choose an online food ordering APP.Select a reliable food delivery APP such as Meituan or Ele.me. Some chain restaurants also have their own APPs or WeChat mini-programs for food ordering. Here, we mainly introduce Meituan. Download the Meituan APP from the app store, register an account by entering your phone number and obtaining a verification code, and then log in.

II. Determine your location.Find your current location through map positioning in the upper left corner, or enter the address manually.

III. Click on "Takeout - Food" to search for restaurants or dishes.Enter keywords or the name of the restaurant you want to eat at, and then set search conditions. The search bar drop-down menu allows you to search results by comprehensive sorting (distance priority, price priority, etc.), sales priority, speed priority, etc.

If you want to have hot pot at home, you can enter "hot pot" in the search bar, and you will get several results about hot pot, including previews of some hot pot semi-finished meal packages.

You can also choose by hot pot category tags. Popular tags such as Chaoshan beef, small hot pot, self-heating hot pot, or hot pot set will be displayed at the top. Click on the category and then select your favorite catering business.

If you don't know which one to choose, look for stores with labels such as "Gold" or "List Recommendation" (selected by users) after the store name, or choose four or five-star merchants, which are usually delicious. You can also search for a specific catering business name, such as绿柳居, to browse and select stores .

IV. After selecting the restaurants, click to enter the purchase page, where you can select food and add it to your shopping cart. Sometimes you need to make personalized selections such as size and taste.

V. After selecting the food, click "Go to Checkout" to confirm the food details in the shopping cart, select the delivery address, and if there are coupons such as "Red Packet," "Store Coupon," and "Delivery Coupon," you can select and use them. Then click "Go to Payment" to confirm the order, jump to the payment page, select electronic payment methods such as Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay, and wait for the takeout to arrive.

VI. After placing the order, you can see the "To Be Used" and "Awaiting Receipt" information in the "My Orders" section of the page. Click to enter and see the order status. When the rider picks up the food, the rider's delivery route and location information will be displayed.

VII. After the takeout arrives, the rider will call your reserved phone number to inform you of the pickup. You can ask him to deliver it to a designated location, take a photo and send it to the APP dialog box to specify the location, or go to the door/front desk to pick it up yourself.

Of course, whether it's Meituan or Ele.me, the content of the pages will almost certainly be in Chinese. If you find it difficult, you may want to ask a colleague or friend who is proficient in Chinese to help you with the takeout ordering.

Extended Reading: Well-known domestic food ordering platforms

Meituan: Meituan is a comprehensive lifestyle service platform that provides various services such as takeout, movie tickets, and hotels. Users can book tables, order takeout, and save money through various coupons and discounts on Meituan. The operating interface of Meituan is simple and clear, and the function is powerful, which is the first choice for many users.

Ele.me: Ele.me is another well-known online food ordering platform that provides fast, convenient, and diverse takeout services. Ele.me also often provides various promotional activities and discounts, allowing users to enjoy more delicious food at more preferential prices.

Dianping: Dianping is not only a food evaluation platform but also provides online food ordering services. Users can search for nearby restaurants on Dianping, browse evaluations and recommendations from other users, and directly book tables or order takeout. Dianping has a wide range of restaurants and rich and diverse dishes, meeting the taste needs of different users.

③ Recommended Comprehensive Online Shopping Apps

In China, there are many well-known and trustworthy comprehensive online shopping platforms that provide consumers with a rich selection of goods and convenient shopping experiences. Each platform has its own unique advantages.

Taobao: A B2C and C2C online shopping platform. Taobao has an extremely diverse range of products, where you can find almost anything you want, from daily necessities to luxury goods.

Tmall: Tmall is another B2C e-commerce platform under the Alibaba Group, mainly targeting brand merchants, with relatively guaranteed product quality. On Tmall, you can purchase branded goods from around the world.

JD.com: JD.com is an e-commerce platform mainly based on self-operation, evolving from specializing in 3C digital products into a comprehensive online shopping mall. It is famous for its efficient logistics system and excellent after-sales service. On JD.com, you can confidently purchase various goods such as electronic products, home appliances, and daily necessities.

Pinduoduo: Pinduoduo mainly attracts consumers through a social e-commerce model, with relatively low-priced goods. In recent years, Pinduoduo has developed rapidly, with an increasingly diverse range of products. It has gathered many factory sources, allowing you to slowly browse and find deals.

Suning.com: Suning.com is an e-commerce platform under Suning Appliance, originating in Nanjing. It mainly sells tens of thousands of products such as home appliances, digital products, baby and maternity products, home furnishing, and food. Suning has physical stores across the country, and the combination of online and offline shopping brings a better shopping experience.

Dangdang.com: A comprehensive online sales platform specializing in various types of books, audio-visual products, and cultural goods. It offers a diverse range of books with comprehensive content. You can purchase books from major publishing houses across the country on the platform, which is characterized by its brand, low prices, and high-quality service.

（Pictures from chinadaily.com.cn）