Ant Group and Mastercard collaboration
Ant Group and Mastercard, together with 12 overseas Alipay+ payment partners and other major international card organizations, have extended the International Consumer Friendly Zones program to Chengdu and Chongqing. This expansion is in response to the rising inbound travel driven by international tourism and trade growth. Both cities ranked among the top ten inbound tourism destinations in early 2024. With local government support, the program will be implemented in over 60 primary shopping areas, tourist attractions, international airports, and high-speed railway stations. Participating merchants will enhance payment signage to inform customers of the digital payment methods supported by Ant Group and its partners.
Chengdu, known for its giant pandas, saw 410,000 foreign entries and exits in the first five months of 2024, a fivefold increase from the previous year. Chongqing, the Mountain City, experienced a sixfold increase in foreign arrivals in the first quarter. The cities, connected by a rapid train ride of just over an hour, are popular among ASEAN visitors. ASEAN was Sichuan’s largest trading partner in 2023. The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, a project between China and Singapore, is the only one in western China.
In the first half of 2024, spending by international visitors in Chengdu and Chongqing via digital payment methods supported by Ant Group and its partners increased 13 times year-on-year. Among Alipay+ e-wallet partners, AlipayHK, Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), and TrueMoney (Thailand) ranked top three in transaction volume. The number of merchants accepting payments from international visitors via Alipay+ grew more than five times year-on-year.
Ant Group offers two mobile payment alternatives for international visitors in China. Alipay+ enables payments with home e-wallets across China, supporting 12 leading e-wallets and payment apps in Asia. The other option allows visitors to bind major international bank cards (Mastercard, Visa, JCB, Discover®, and Diners Club International) to the Alipay app for access to local Alipay services without needing a mainland China bank account or phone number.
Following the initial program rollout in Beijing and expansion to Guangzhou and Shanghai, Ant Group continues to improve digital payment options for international travelers as inbound travel recovers. The China Tourism Academy expects inbound travel to reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024, driven by expanded visa-waiver policies and the resumption of international flights.
About Ant Group:
Ant Group, originating from Alipay in 2004, has grown into a leading open Internet platform. Through innovation, Ant Group provides digital life and financial services to consumers and SMEs and supports the digital transformation of industries globally.
About Mastercard:
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry, aiming to create an inclusive, digital economy. With secure data, networks, and partnerships, Mastercard connects over 210 countries and territories, fostering a sustainable world and unlocking possibilities for all.
