The E-CNY hard wallets come in the shape of bracelets for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The organizing committee of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 launched two series of 12 types of digital-yuan, or e-CNY, hard wallets on Dec 14, local media outlets reported.

The new hard wallets were conceived by the Asian Games organizing committee and the state-run Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The wallet comes with a SIM card with near-field communication technology, making it possible to carry out transactions in e-CNY without a mobile network.

One of the highlights of the Asian Games is no doubt the three mascots, namely Chenchen, Congcong and Lianlian, representing the three cultural heritages of the Grand Canal, Liangzhu Culture and West Lake, respectively, which have been inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage list.

What could be nicer than paying with a bracelet or card featuring the Asian Games mascots? Users of this kind of hard wallet can simply "tap and go," making it easier to make payments.

China, the world’s second-largest economy, has already launched various trials across the country, providing countless e-CNY coupons to residents.

E-CNY hard wallets come in the shape of cards for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]