Blockchain may have started out as a novel concept in the virtual world, but more than a decade later, it has swelled into something much greater. China's industry pioneers are now busy exploring the practical ways it can benefit real economy.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said nearly three-quarters of all global blockchain patent applications come from Chinese companies. 

JD Digits is using blockchain technology for product authentication purposes. Their vice president Cao Peng showed CGTN how customers can track food, like infant milk powder, by just scanning a QR code.

Cao said blockchain-based authentication is also used in healthcare.

Several medical scandals shocked the Chinese market last year. Expired flu vaccines were found in school clinics, and saline solutions were used to replace HPV vaccines at some private hospitals.

JD Digits has initiated cooperation with National Medical Product Administration to address these concerns. Inoculators can scan the bar code on the wrapping of their vaccine to see when it entered the hospital and whether it's been correctly stored.

Cao said, in the future, they hope to bring pharmaceuticals onto the chain as well so that the whole supply chain can be traceable.

Other developers see it as a chance for philanthropy. Alipay's operator Ant Financial launched the "charity on chain" project just two months ago. It works with a host of stakeholders to ensure your charitable donations reach their intended target.

The affiliated company of the world's largest blockchain patent owner Alibaba started experimenting in the charity industry as early as in 2016.

Steven Wang, head of Market Research for Blockchain Technology at Ant Financial, said the company has worked with over 700 charitable organizations, powered near 3,600 charitable programs using blockchain and raised 1.51 billion yuan (about 216 million U.S. dollars) from 1.1 billion donors. 

Researchers at Tencent Research Institute use blockchain to help reduce paperwork for tax bureaus by using e-invoices. Xu Siyan, chief editor of Tencent Blockchain Whitebook, said e-invoices for taxi fees, business dinners are just a click away on WeChat payment vouchers.

Tencent is now also exploring blockchain based solution for legal scenerios such as IP protection and judical evidence deposit

Xu said different levels of governments are willing to communicate more efficiently, and blockchain technology could be the solution.

Blockchain is often referred to as the ceiling-breaker. It helps break limits for traditional industries by solving the problem of mutual trust. But blockchain's true value, or its value for the general public, lies in the vision of a more convenient, secure and honest society.