rhodopsin - 6:28 pm on Mar 8, 2005 (gmt 0)

Thanks for the article. Very interesting. And a great step forward for Chinese e-commerce. Which of course we all know has great potential. Just a few Q:

Q1) Is this service even open to individuals? Could I as an individual receive money with the service? Or is it only open to state registered enterprises?

Q2) RE: "The service is supported by four big Chinese banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and China Merchants Bank."

So, to use the service (to receive money from persons in China) am I write in saying that I must open an account with one of these banks? Can an individual foreigner open an account with one of these banks?

Q3) If I had a bank account with one of these Chinese banks - could I then wire the money in the Chinese bank to a bank abroad? I have heard something about it being difficult to move money out of China - but am not too clued up on it.
Perhaps one work around would be too wire the money from one of these domestic Chinese banks to a Chinese branch of Citibank or HSBC - then perhaps use an international Citibank or HSBC debit card (with the cirrus symbol) to withdraw the money in the West.