On December 7, 2023, China announced that it will issue a polymer banknote to commemorate the Year of the Dragon in 2024. This will be an official issue and not a fantasy, private issue.

The commemorative banknote is vertically oriented. The design of the front of the banknote is reminiscent of China's 2000 commemorative dragon banknote with the roaring dragon now facing right instead of left. At top is the national emblem of the People's Republic of China and a seal spelling "dragon." At bottom is the color-changing denomination number "20," a dynamic holographic pattern, transparent window, tactile marks for the blind and the serial number.

 

The back of the banknote is rather simplistic in design, showing three children celebrating the new year by dancing with dragon lanterns. Decorative patterns of Beijing courtyard houses are shown in the background. At bottom, a flower and dynamic holographic pattern is included. Beside the year of issue (2024), the seal of the President of the People's Bank of China is shown. The text at the bottom represents the Chinese pinyin version of "People's Bank of China" and the words, "People's Bank of China 20 Yuan," in the four ethnic languages of Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhuang.

 

The commemorative banknote has a length of 145 mm and a width of 70 mm.

 

100 million banknotes have been printed. This quantity is ten times the quantity that was produced for the 2000 dragon banknote. Initially, Chinese citizens can pre-order banknotes between January 3-5, 2024 at commercial banks. A maximum of 20 pieces can be reserved per Chinese ID card. The banknotes can be picked up between January 9-15, 2024.