A company in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province has launched a basketball-sharing service on some basketball courts around the city. The service has been lauded by a number of basketball fans for the convenience it offers to casual players.

As seen from a photo taken at Jiaxing University, a total of eight basketballs are available at each participating court, placed in a sort of vending machine and equipped with instructions and QR codes. Users can access the balls by scanning the codes with their mobile phones.

"It's not so convenient to carry a ball all the time, and the service perfectly solves that problem," said one basketball fan.

Users have to pay a 29-RMB deposit before enjoying the service, and the rent for half an hour is 1.5 RMB. A camera above the ball-dispensing case records the players to discourage them from running off with the balls. The case can also act as a storage locker for the duration of the ball rental.

An employee of the ball-sharing company told Beijing Youth Daily that shared basketballs are an emerging industry. So far, the company has received satisfactory feedback from users, and the service will soon be available in more locations, especially first-tier cities.