UnionPay expands cross-border services, partners with WeChat Pay

UnionPay International — a subsidiary of China UnionPay that provides support for UnionPay cards and mobile payment services in over 180 countries and regions — announced a partnership with global payments infrastructure Wise Platform on Dec 16 to enhance cross-border remittance services to China. The upgraded service introduces two key improvements:
1. Expanded recipient coverage: The service now supports all UnionPay cardholders in China, in addition to Chinese residents. This expansion aims to better serve expats working, studying, or investing in China.
2. 24/7 instant transfers: Select remittance services now operate around the clock, allowing funds to be credited instantly to UnionPay cards for immediate use.

Eight overseas e-wallets
UnionPay International unveiled another collaboration on Dec 17, this time with WeChat Pay. The partnership enables international UnionPay-linked e-wallets to scan WeChat Pay QR codes in China. Eight overseas e-wallets — BoC Pay, Octopus, PayMe by HSBC, Tap & Go, Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking, K Plus, Naver Pay, and ICBC Malaysia Mobile Banking (ICBC Pay) — now support this feature.
Users of these e-wallets can link their UnionPay physical or digital cards to make seamless payments. Transactions are automatically converted to renminbi, or Chinese yuan, providing added convenience for international users.

(Sources: UnionPay International, WeChat Pay and VCG)
Source: Intl Services Shanghai