China has confirmed the new 20-yuan polymer commemorative banknote
The banknote is printed on polymer substrate, measuring 70 × 145 mm, and produced by China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation. Its color palette blends pink, red, orange, and green, creating a festive and energetic visual tone that clearly distinguishes it from regular circulating 20-yuan notes. While commemorative in nature, the design language remains consistent with China’s broader currency identity.
The front side, arranged vertically, features Chinese text alongside the National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing state authority and national continuity. Dominating the composition is a horse, a traditional Chinese symbol of vitality, progress, perseverance, and good fortune. The denomination “20” is rendered using SPARK Optical technology, an advanced optically variable feature that produces dynamic color-shifting effects when the note is tilted, enhancing both security and visual sophistication.
The reverse side, also vertical, emphasizes China’s ethnic diversity and social harmony. Text appears in four minority languages—Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Zhuang—reflecting the multicultural fabric of the nation and aligning with long-standing themes of ethnic unity in Chinese commemorative currency. At the center of the design are three children playing traditional musical instruments, an image rich in symbolism. The children represent youth, cultural inheritance, and the continuity of tradition across generations, while music serves as a metaphor for harmony among different peoples. In the background, residential houses suggest everyday life, community, and shared prosperity.
Notably, the banknote does not include a security thread or watermark, a choice consistent with many modern polymer notes that rely instead on optical elements, transparent areas, and specialized inks for security. The clean polymer surface allows for high-precision printing, sharp detail, and strong resistance to wear, moisture, and tearing.
Overall, the 20-yuan polymer commemorative banknote is a visually striking and symbolically layered issue. Through its vertical layout, multicultural inscriptions, youthful imagery, and advanced optical features, it communicates a message of unity, renewal, and forward movement—capturing both traditional symbolism and contemporary currency innovation in a compact commemorative format.