China's seamless mobile payment enhances travel experience for foreign visitors

International travelers visit the new round-the-clock one-stop service station launched at Terminal 2 of Pudong International Airport on June 29, 2024. DALIAN - When Jennifer Meriot, a graphic designer from France, returned to Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning province after five years, she was pleasantly surprised by how seamless mobile payments had become for international travelers. In Dalian, 14,300 businesses now accept payment through overseas bank cards, doubling the number from February this year and covering major areas such as airports, high-speed railway stations, passenger terminals, tourist attractions, international hotels, and core commercial districts, according to Zhang Shugang, deputy general manager of the Dalian branch of China UnionPay. To cater to the growing international tourism influx, WeChat Pay, one of China's major mobile payment platforms by tech giant Tencent, now allows international users to link bank cards from six international bank card organizations, including Visa, to their WeChat account. According to a circular issued last month by China's top economic planner -- the National Development and Reform Commission -- and four other government bodies, the country will promote acceptance of overseas bank cards in various venues and stores, enabling easier access to dining, accommodation, transportation, ticket purchases, and reservations for international visitors.