International visitors from 11 countries and regions travelling to China’s mainland can now use 25 overseas digital wallets to pay via Weixin Pay (WeChat) QR codes, following an expanded collaboration between UnionPay International and the Chinese payment platform, UnionPay said.

Under the arrangement, visitors can link their local UnionPay cards—either physical or digital—to participating mobile wallets and make payments across China by scanning Weixin Pay or UnionPay QR codes. Transactions are automatically converted from the user’s home currency into Chinese yuan (RMB), removing the need to download additional apps.

UnionPay said the system allows foreign visitors to pay at restaurants, retail outlets and public transport systems using the same mobile wallets they use at home.

The programme, launched in December 2024, has gradually expanded as more UnionPay-partnered international wallets joined the network, enabling a growing number of inbound travellers to access China’s widely used QR-code payment ecosystem.

UnionPay International said the initiative marks a new milestone under its Project Excellence, which allows more than 200 e-wallets in 37 countries and regions outside mainland China to link with locally issued UnionPay cards.

To further improve the experience for overseas visitors, UnionPay has also introduced the SplendorPlus Card, designed specifically to meet the payment needs of inbound travellers.

UnionPay said QR-code transactions in mainland China made using overseas-issued UnionPay-partnered e-wallets rose 100% year-on-year in 2025, while the total transaction value increased by 75%.

Source: UnionPay International