Big four to operate 24-hour hotlines

Four major state-owned banks will provide 24-hour telephone hotlines and e-mail addresses for visitors to the six cities hosting Olympic events. Consumers can lodge complaints with banks through the China Banking Association's local branches, a senior association official said yesterday. The hotlines will provide services in Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Arabic. The banks pledged to improve services with upgraded facilities, increased outlets and ATMs, and barrier-free facilities for the disabled at Games' venues.