Both WeChat and Alipay have introduced services that enable foreign visitors to China to use their credit cards via their services instead of bringing out lots of physical money.
Starting with Alibaba’s payments platform, Alipay announced that tourists in China can now use the company’s service without having a Chinese bank account.
The news means that Alipay now supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Diners Club cards.
Announcing it on Facebook, Alipay wrote, “We heard you. You want to use Alipay and guess what? Now you can! Visitors to China are now able to #PayWithAlipay. Simply download #Alipay via app stores to start enjoying wallet-free travel! That QR code by the cashier will no longer be a foreign sight.”
By downloading the app and entering their details, customers can now use the cashless payments solution, dispensing of the time-consuming and old-fashioned use of paper cash.
However, Tencent-owned WeChat also announced it would open up its platform to foreign cards, both the same as Alipay as well as American Express.
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