China-based Tencent and Alipay have announced that they will facilitate cashless payments for foreigners that visit China. Tencent and Alipay have announced that they broadened their collaboration with international card companies such as Visa, Discover Global Network, JCB, and Mastercard in a bid to enhance foreign users' digital payment experience in China.

As a result, foreigners will be able to use WeChat Pay/ Weixin Pay and Alipay to make cashless payments whilst visiting the country. The announcement comes as China has reopened its borders to foreigners following the pandemic. What is more, the introduction of this new payment feature was announced ahead of major international sporting events like the FISU World University Games in Chengdu and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, which are anticipated to attract overseas tourists.

More details about the new payment option The new capability is a new step in Weixin Pay's expansion that started in 2019 when the company enabled overseas users to link their international credit cards and use them to pay with various pilot services. This new development is seen as a way for Weixin Pay to fully open its Chinese merchant network to international card organisations. Among the categories that the merchant network features are dining, transportation, hotel accommodation, and shopping.

What is more, Weixin Pay extends a large array of payment options such as QR payments, payment codes, as well as Weixin Mini Programs and in-app payments. According to the official press release, to set up their WeChat Pay/ Weixin Pay, foreign travellers to China have to use their passports or foreign permanent resident ID cards and link their international cards. The purchases they make from the tens of millions of merchants supported by Weixin Pay will reportedly feature no transaction fees for purchases of less than or equal to USD 27.81 (or CNH 200).

A similar process that requires foreigners to link their cards in the app is in place for Alipay. The new process is significantly simpler. Previously, using WeChat Pay and Alipay in China required a local bank account.

Consequently, short-term visitors often encounter difficulties when trying to utilise these payment methods. The wider context Prior to the launch of these payment options addressed to foreign visitors, Chinese regulators reportedly encouraged the development of mobile payment solutions that would improve the payment experience for travellers. Even more to this point, domestic payment service providers have also been encouraged to secure strategic partners with oversea card issuers in order to extend mobile payment options that comply with local regulations for foreign visitors.

China’s efforts towards adapting to the requirements of foreign travellers is not an isolated action, but rather a widespread trend post-pandemic. Experts highlight that consumer expectations regarding payment options have evolved in 2023. Specifically, when it comes to travel, tourists may anticipate shifts in the payment landscape, especially in countries where cash traditionally dominated as the primary method of payment acceptance for tourists.

The introduction of WeChat Pay and Alipay has made payments much smoother for residents in China. However, for foreign visitors, it has posed a challenge to find places that still accept cash. More precisely, the widespread adoption of the two payment giants has led to cash being largely replaced, despite government warnings to merchants.

This development thus represents a significant improvement in the experience of foreign visitors in China. .