1950s: Ration coupons

In the 1950s-70s, under the centrally-planned economy, Chinese citizens needed to use ration coupons to buy food and other daily necessities, in addition to money.

The coupons, known as liangpiaoin Chinese, were issued by the government in the 1950s when food and other commodities were scarce. They were abolished in the 1990s, following the rise of industrial and agricultural production sectors.

A roadside farmers' market in Haidian, Beijing in Nov, 1956. [Photo/Xinhua]