China is a wonderful country to go on vacation for its rich historical and cultural heritage, and the contrast between modernity and tradition of its cities. China has a lot to offer and as we do not want you to waste time looking for how to have internet on your trip, we have prepared this post where we tell you how to find the best eSIM card in China, to be connected to the internet immediately without paying excessive bills as with roaming, or risking your data on public wifi networks.
On the market there is a wide variety of brands with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of the plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, among others, and we share their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We already can tell you that the eSIM cards with unlimited data like those of Holafly are a safe bet with no extra charges but 24/7 client support.
Comparison of eSIM for a trip to China
When comparing different eSIM brands we must take into account all the features that will determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. That’s why we prepared this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you choose. Later on we will delve into all the important aspects so that you don’t miss any information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days | No | Yes | Yes | unlimited | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19€ -99€ | 4,6 | 4,3 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB | In English, via a bot | 5$ – 28$ | 3,9 | 3,8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, unlimited | In English, via email | 5€ – 54€ | 4,4 | 3,2 |
| Simoptions | 8, 10, 15 and 30 days | No | No | No | 4GB, 6GB and 8GB | In English, via chat | 17,9$ – 39,9$ | 3,5 | 3 |
| Truphone | 1 and 30 days | Sometimes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3 GB and 5GB | In English, by email or the App | 5€ – 15€ | 1,9 | 3,8 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for China with Unlimited Data, VPN network and multilingual customer support
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continents and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different price points and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. Most of their eSIM plans have unlimited data. Technical support 24/7 in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese. Very flexible prices. Uses a VPN network. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible duration of data plans: 5, 10, 15, 15, 20, 30, 30, 60 and 90 days. They have an App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data or have to recharge. The Holafly eSIM card for China does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the installation through their App. |
Holafly is one of the best options for buying eSIM cards as all their plans have unlimited data for those who want to travel without worrying about running out of internet. In addition, the brand offers a 24-7 customer service in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the company with the best customer rating on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
On the website of Holafly you can find 8 unlimited data plans ranging from thes 19€ to 99€ depending on the duration of the contract, which can be 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It is perfect for long stays, digital nomads or express trips to China.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | 19€ | 19$ | 19£ |
| 7 days – unlimited data | 27€ | 27$ | 24£ |
| 10 days – unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | 29£ |
| 15 days – unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | 44£ |
| 20 days – unlimited data | 54€ | 55$ | 49£ |
| 30 days – unlimited data | 64€ | 64$ | 59£ |
| 60 days – unlimited data | 84€ | 84$ | 77£ |
| 90 days – unlimited data | 99€ | 99$ | 87£ |
The Holafly eSIM cards can be installed easily by scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
Another advantage of Holafly’s eSIM for China is that it uses a VPN, a private network that you can use to browse any type of web, since in China many websites and social networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail or YouTube are blocked.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but in the end they are profitable since all their plans have unlimited data and you will not need to recharge at any time during your trip. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of the cards Holafly’s eSIM for China based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,3 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?
2. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand for China
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of the data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo, along with Holafly, is one of the best-known brands in the world to buy an international travel eSIM. This company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Although Airalo is one of the cheapest brands on the market, the truth is that in the long run it can get expensive as their data plans have very limited gigabytes that can run out at any time, and their technical service takes a long time to respond.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for China are for 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $5 to $28.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 5$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 8,5$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 11,5$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 16,5$ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 28$ |
Airalo’s eSIM for China offers 5 data plans for you to choose the one that best suits your trip. We compared customer reviews and feedback on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest scores at 3.7. Here’s the ranking for each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
3. Truphone and their App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. 24/7 customer support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. You can recharge data from the App. No need to scan QR code. Data sharing is only available on some devices. They offer data plans for Apple Watch. They offer 100 MB free trial for 1 day. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 5GB, they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB). Cannot be purchased on the web, only from mobile phone. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Their services and customer support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was a pioneer in the industry and thefirst global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. In addition, it has been since 2016a technology partner of Apple, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on its devices.
For China the brand offers 5 plans; two with a duration of one day and 100MB and 1GB, and 3 other 30-day plans with 2GB, 3GB and 5GB. Prices range from€5 to £15. The 100MB plan is free for you to try their product for one day. The problem with this brand is that their data plans have very few gigabytes (maximum 10GB) and this means that you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
On the other hand, Truphone also offers Asia-Pacific eSIM plans that include 13 countries in addition to China. The global plan also includes it. It is a good option if we are organizing a long trip through several countries.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | 0€ | 0$ | 0£ |
| 1 day – 1 GB | 5€ | 5$ | 5£ |
| 30 days – 2 GB | 9€ | 9$ | 9£ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 12€ | 12$ | 11£ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 15€ | 15$ | 14£ |
Although on the website you can check the data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile application. Once downloaded, you will need to create an account filling in your details directly or through Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your phone is compatible with the eSIM before allowing you to complete the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you won’t need to scan any QR codes. Just keep in mind that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot you can see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a score of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience and these are our conclusions.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and the opinions of other users visit this post: Our review of Truphone eSIM: is it worth it?
4. SimOptions y their marketplace
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Sim Options eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different length, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. Some plans include calls and SMS. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 8GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. eSIM features for the same country vary depending on the brand contracted. The duration of data plans is limited to 8, 10, 15 and 30 days. No eSIM card allows recharging data. Technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Your eSIM for China does not include calls and SMS. Speed depends on each eSIM card brand. There is no App to control data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card marketplace where local mobile carriers in each country sell their eSIM cards. The brand, with offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and also have regional and global plans.
For China you’ll find five data plans of 8, 10, 15 and 30 days with data limits of 4GB, 4GB and 8GB. Prices are a bit higher than average and range from $17.9 to $39.9. None of their plans include calls or allow you to top up the installed eSIM if you run out of data.
The main drawback of Sim Options is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, as they are from different brands, are very disparate and their features vary a lot, not only price, speed or duration, but also technical support, the possibility of recharging or data sharing. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 10 days – 6 GB | 17,9$ |
| 8 days – 6 GB | 19,9$ |
| 30 days – 4 GB | 24,9$ |
| 30 days – 8 GB | 34,9$ |
| 15 days – 6 GB | 39,9$ |
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards you waste a lot of time comparing between them. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars and they don’t give you the guarantee of a good technical support. Here we leave you this ranking where we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and that of other customers about the brand: Our review of Sim Options eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
5. Maya Mobile, 30-day data plans for China
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continents and countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with a QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, which can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have unlimited data plans. Possibility of internet sharing. Rechargeable after 30 days. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App. The unlimited data plan has a 5Mbps limit. Technical support only in English via a bot. They only have data plans for 30 days. |
This company offers eSIM cards for 30 days in China. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. In total they have 4 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 gigabytes. China is also included in the Asia – Pacific plan with unlimited gigabytes, but its unlimited data is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after having used 30GB of the plan, it drops to 1Mbps. The price ranges from €5 to €54.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its hiring and installation process, which is also done through a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in case the data does not work, which is not usual since they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 5€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 8€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 14€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 24€ |
| 30 days – unlimited data* | 54€ |
With Maya Mobile we consider their plans being very inflexible and only having a duration of 30 days a disadvantage. In Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any comments. Here is the table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,2 |
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for China
In this post we have seen that there are many important factors to consider when comparing eSIM cards as, for each type of travel you will have different connection needs. However, there are brands that stand out for the quality of their eSIMs. In this section we tell you based on our experience which eSIM card is best for China.
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our vacation, so eSIM cardswith unlimited data are the best option. In this case, the only brands offering unlimited eSIM data are Holafly and Maya Mobile, but remember that Maya Mobile’s unlimited data plans are not real, as after using 30GB the browsing speed will drop to half. With some companies like Truphone or Airalo you can recharge the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data. SimOptions does not allow you to top up any eSIM for China.
We know it can be complicated to calculate the gigabytes you will need during your trip, so we have prepared this table to help you make the estimate of the gigabytes you will need if you end up choosing an eSIM card with data limit, which we do not recommend.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
The installation process of eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. You can check this information on the website of each provider.
The purchase of the eSIM for China can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly or SimOptions, or through the app such as Airalo or Truphone. Holafly’s website is very intuitive and easy to use, while SimOptions’ is quite complicated to understand and you will have to read a lot.
The only brands that allow you to do the installation through the App are Airalo and Truphone, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you will be able to get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo, Simoptions or Maya Mobile.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chat bot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as it responds in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese through the web chat or by WhatsApp, where a conversation is opened automatically after the purchase.
Many times when we travel we want to share data with other devices and only some providers like Airalo and Truphone make it possible.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The brands with the cheapest data plans are Airalo, Truphone and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited and you will most likely run out and have to pay again with the top-up. In this aspect, SimOptions is more expensive than the others and its data is very limited. So sometimes it is advisable to pay a little more and get a eSIM card with unlimited data like Holafly to get peace of mind and not have to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for traveling to China for their unlimited data and multi-language technical support that responds in less than a minute.With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options for getting internet in China?
There are several ways to get internet when traveling abroad, however, eSIM cards for China are our favorite option because of the number of advantages they offer, which we are going to describe below.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, there is no need to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a store first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No need to rely on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Peace of mind | You will have 24/7 technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You will not have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your cell phone. |
| Security | You will avoid using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. You will avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile phone like with SIM cards. |
There are other alternatives to connect to internet in China that may also interest you. That’s why we have prepared this list with other options, their prices, advantages and disadvantages for you to compare and choose the one that best suits your trip.
1. Buy SIM cards from China Mobile, Unicom, Telecom
This was the most common option until eSIM cards came along. When you arrive in China you can get your SIM card at the airport or in the commercial areas of the cities. There you will find stores of the main telephone companies such as China Mobile, Unicom, Telecom. The price of SIM cards varies greatly depending on contract length and gigabytes. Although this is one of the most widespread methods to have internet, the truth is that it has several disadvantages as we detail in this table.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi for China
A Pocket WiFi is a wireless router that allows you to connect to the Internet from anywhere in the world. These are the advantages and disadvantages that this system has, while considered to be one of the most expensive.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
Some of the best brands to rent Pockets Wifi in China are TravelersWifi and Mywifispot. The plans are contracted per day or per month depending on the company. With TravelersWifi for example, the day costs almost €6. To these costs, however, must be added shipping costs, insurance, extra batteries or car chargers.
This system for a short trip can be uneconomical. This is why it is usually recommended for longer stays or business trips where the device will always be kept in one place and can be shared among several people.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in China
In China, it is easy to find wifi hotspots in big cities in department stores, cafes, museums and hotels. However, the big disadvantage of public networks is their vulnerability to hacking. That is why it is recommended to limit their use to a minimum and avoid at all costs making transactions where your personal data is put at risk.
One drawback of connecting to the internet in China is that many websites and social networks are banned. The only way to access these platforms is through a VNP, a private network that will allow you to browse any website. The Holafly eSIM card uses a VNP, so you won’t have any problems.
When you try to connect to a public network in restaurants or other public places, they will ask for your phone number to send you a code. If you can’t receive calls you will never get this code.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
4. Enable roaming for China
Data roaming is a service offered by phone companies to continue using your local data plan when traveling to China.The cost of this service is usually high, so it is advisable to check with your usual carrier before embarking on your trip, to avoid surprises at the end of the month.
Each company offers different Roaming plans, but to give you an idea, the MB can cost up to 12€. Think that with Holafly you can get an eSIM with unlimited data from €19.
| Advantages | There is no need to install anything on our cell phone. There is no need to contract any extra service. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Inconveniences | This is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realizing it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in China
ESIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile when you travel abroad without having to remove your regular SIM as is the case for SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip incorporated in the latest generation of cell phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the web or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, duration and gigabytes of data plan and pay securely.
The eSIM installation and activation is a really easy procedure that will take you just a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your cell phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. Then the camera will open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. Then the installation and activation of your card will begin.
This process must be carried out with internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before embarking on the trip or upon arrival at the hotel.
Most models of common brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also supported. However, it is best to check on the website of each provider, where they will tell you all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical stores or online, whose delivery period ranges from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express shipping.
Most companies offer data-limited packages. Holafly, unlike the rest offers a wide variety of unlimited data packages.
VPNs are virtual private networks that allow you to connect to platforms blocked in China such as Youtube, Whassap or Facebook. There are eSIM cards that incorporate these networks, for example, Holafly.
To activate the eSIM card you need to have internet connection, so it is recommended to activate it just before embarking on the trip.
Data packages usually have a duration between 7 and 30 days, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans usually do not allow data sharing, but those plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Data on unlimited plans is really unlimited. Note in any case that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you make very intensive use of applications such as Netflix or Youtube. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences posted on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.6 average score.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot score than Holafly, at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong-based company.
Maya is owned by a U.S. company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Truspilot are good, out of 4.5 average rating.
The reviews of Airalo on Truspilot are good, out of 3.9 average rating.
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