China's Expanding Mobile Payment System Welcomes Foreigners
Rana, a Pakistani visitor to China, was pleasantly surprised to find that he could use his NayaPay mobile app to pay for purchases in Beijing. He was able to scan a code on his phone to pay for everything from groceries to souvenirs, without needing to download a new application. This convenience was made possible by China's expanding circle of overseas app payment partners.
NayaPay recently announced its support for payments in China through Alipay+, a cross-border payment service offered by Ant Group. Blue Harbor, an international shopping park in Beijing, is one of NayaPay's partners and is actively building itself into an "inbound, consumer-friendly business circle."
This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Chinese government and financial institutions to meet the diverse payment needs of foreigners in China. Earlier this year, the government announced plans to make it easier for foreigners to work, study, and travel in China, including optimizing payment services.
Beijing, the capital city, aims to expand the service coverage of overseas bank cards by the end of June. Payment facilities will be established in hotels and tourist attractions, making it easier for visitors to pay for their purchases.
In addition to expanding payment options, China is also making it easier for foreigners to access mobile payment services. Blue Harbor, for example, has clear signage in English reminding foreign tourists how to link their international Visa cards or overseas e-wallets to China's mobile payment services.
These efforts are paying off. Data from Ant Group shows that since 2022, foreign tourists from nearly 200 countries and regions have linked international bank cards to the Alipay app after entering China. In March this year, the cumulative transaction value of overseas visitors to China on Alipay soared nearly 10-fold year on year.
As China continues to improve its payment infrastructure and visa-free travel policies, more and more foreign nationals are choosing to visit, study, live, and work in the country. This is helping to scale up China's inbound consumption market and create a more welcoming environment for people from all over the world.
7 Comments
ytkonos
Foreigners shouldn't be able to use their own apps in China. They should have to use Alipay like everyone else.
lettlelenok
This is a good example of how technology can be used to improve people's lives.
dedus mopedus
This is just another way for China to collect data on foreigners.
Karamba
This will help to boost China's economy by attracting more foreign visitors.
AceBase
This is a positive development that should be encouraged.
Manolo Noriega
This is a sign that China is committed to making itself a more welcoming place for people from all over the world.
Aurora
This is a sensible way to cater to the needs of the growing number of foreigners in China.