The smart technology turning China’s illiterate late bloomers into digital natives
Up until now, people without an understanding of Chinese characters and the romanised writing system pinyin have been locked out online
Qie Suqin, from rural northern China, has decided not to learn to use a mobile phone.
The 69-year-old homemaker from the city of Baoding in Hebei province said she just did not have the time between her housework and catching up on soap operas on television.
But Qie has another limitation: she can’t read.
“I was only in primary school for two years then I dropped out to help on the farm at home,” she said.
Instead she relies on her husband, Li Daluan, 72, an avid social media user, to get news and updates about their family in other parts of the country.
One of the biggest barriers is illiteracy, particularly among older generations.