Hey globetrotters! 🌏 Planning a trip to the Chinese mainland? Your adventure just got a whole lot easier! China has just launched a pilot program to supercharge payment services for foreign travelers, and it's as exciting as that new season of your favorite Netflix show! 📺
On Monday, Chinese authorities announced game-changing measures to make mobile payments a breeze for international visitors. The State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Data Administration have kickstarted a program in eight vibrant cities: Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jinan, Wuhan, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi'an. That's right, from the buzzing streets of Shenzhen to the historic wonders of Xi'an, paying for your baozi 🥟 has never been smoother!
This initiative is set to streamline how over 11 million individual business entities handle mobile payments by allowing them to accept foreign credit cards. So whether you're buying souvenirs in Chengdu or grabbing street food in Wuhan, whip out your card and pay like a local! 💳
The Chinese mainland is seeing a travel boom, welcoming approximately 95 million inbound tourists in the first nine months of this year—a whopping 55.4% jump from last year! And with the country's expanded visa-free transit policy, it's no wonder everyone wants to join the party. 🎉
China is pulling out all the stops to make sure foreign visitors feel right at home. Earlier this year, the State Council released guidelines to optimize bank card payment services and promote mobile payments. Plus, major tourist attractions are now accepting both domestic and foreign bank cards. So go ahead and snap that selfie on the Great Wall, knowing your next payment is just a tap away! 📱
So pack your bags, brush up on your Mandarin, and get ready to explore all that the Chinese mainland has to offer—now with seamless payment options! ✈️
Reference(s):
China launches pilot to enhance payment services for foreign travelers
cgtn.com
