BEIJING—Mobile-phone stores in China used to charge different prices for mobile-phone numbers depending on whether they are considered more lucky or less lucky. An ordinary number might be sold for CNY50 (US$6), lucky numbers, such as four nines or four eights, go for several thousands of yuan.
The numbers 8 and 6 are considered to be lucky, while fours and sevens are to be avoided. There are even regional differences depending on the dialects spoken, as lucky numbers usually sound similar to desirable things, such as ‘getting rich.’
China’s Ministry of Information Industry (MII) issued a regulation requiring shops to stop charging extra, but it is apparently not enforced yet.
No more surcharges for China’s lucky numbers
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