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In an effort to appeal to travelers from abroad, China’s dominant UnionPay payments card network announced early Wednesday a new platform designed to simplify everyday transactions for international visitors.
Dubbed Nihao China, the new app offers a range of capabilities, including cross-border and person-to-person payments, according to 23-year-old UnionPay, which says it unveiled the app Friday but held off several days on its official announcement. UnionPay’s strategy, according to the network, is to encourage transactions from international visitors by fostering a “more user-friendly and secure payment experience.”
The new app is aimed at offering visitors a “digital bridge” to day-to-day life in China, according to UnionPay. The platform allows visitors to register with an email address, while Apple Inc. customers can use their Apple account. Once registered, users can link Visa and Mastercard cards as well as those issued by UnionPay, a state-owned network that has issued more than 9 billion cards, including about 230 million outside the country.
The app overcomes language barriers for visitors with a real-time English-Chinese translation facility, UnionPay says, along with support for a range of other languages to “ensure smooth navigation in your native language.” Beyond translation, the app also offers advice regarding restaurants, transportation, and local attractions, according to the announcement.
Once established, the app will add “virtual SIM card activation” allowing users to access mobile data upon arrival, according to UnionPay’s announcement. The app also comes as UnionPay competes with China’s more recent entries in digital payments, the mobile services Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Like many countries, China is recovering from a collapse in international tourism following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. Visitors to the country peaked in 2019 at 65.7 million, while just half that number came to the country as late as 2024, when China relaxed some Visa restrictions. International visits began a strong recovery this year, however, according to some sources.
