Apple and Visa have partnered to allow Chinese cardholders to use Apple Pay for international transactions. This update enables Visa credit and debit card users in mainland China to add their cards to Apple Pay. It covers in-store, in-app, and online purchases.
Apple Pay Expands International Reach in China
The service is available to cardholders from eight major Chinese banks, including ICBC, Bank of China, and Agricultural Bank of China. Additionally, Apple and Visa plan to add more banks, such as China Construction Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, in future updates.
This rollout comes as contactless technology gains global momentum. Currently, 79% of in-person transactions use Near Field Communication (NFC), which highlights the growing demand for mobile payments.
Visa Boosts Investment in Cross-Border Payments
Yin Xiaolong, Visa’s General Manager in Mainland China, emphasized that the partnership meets growing demand for mobile payment solutions that work across borders. Visa is increasing its investment in data security and tokenization to ensure secure transactions.
This initiative aims to provide a smooth mobile payment experience for Chinese consumers. As a result, international shopping will become easier and safer.
Expansion Plans and Future Banks
Apple and Visa confirmed that additional banks will be included in future updates. This collaboration represents a major step toward improving global payment interoperability. As more consumers adopt NFC-based payments, it will make cross-border transactions even easier.
As NFC technology continues to grow, Apple Pay and Visa plan to simplify international payments for Chinese users. This will make transactions more accessible and secure.
