China opens the gateway to digital payments: Foreign tourists can effortlessly use digital renminbi for consumption
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) released the “Guide for Foreigners’ Payments in China” on March 14, informing foreign travelers that they can choose from a range of payment services including mobile payments, bank cards, cash, and digital renminbi (e-CNY).
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Digital Renminbi is Available! CBDC Development Leads the World
Cross-Border Payments Made Easier: e-CNY App Overseas Version
Travelers Can “Top Up” and Pay Immediately
More Convenience for Hong Kong Users
Diversified Payment Methods to Meet Different Needs
As electronic payments have become the mainstream method of consumption in China, foreign tourists and short-term visitors often encounter payment barriers when enjoying convenient shopping and services. The People’s Bank of China recently launched the “Guide for Foreigners’ Payments in China with Digital Renminbi,” officially announcing the acceptance of digital renminbi payments.
The PBOC has stated that the overseas version of the digital renminbi app (e-CNY App) has been made available, allowing users from over 210 countries and regions worldwide to easily register and open their own digital wallets. Moreover, opening this wallet does not require having any local bank account in China.
The PBOC has also introduced the “Top Up and Pay” feature for digital renminbi, initially supporting international bank cards such as Visa and MasterCard, with more international card organizations to be added in the future. This means that users do not need to worry about preloading funds and can directly pay with their bank cards, greatly enhancing the flexibility and convenience of consumption.
In particular, for users from Hong Kong, they can directly top up their digital wallets with local bank accounts through the “FPS” system. More than a dozen Hong Kong bank accounts already support this feature, and more institutions are actively joining.
The payment methods for digital renminbi are diverse, ranging from scanning QR codes and mobile near-field communication (NFC) to payment methods that do not require internet connection or power, reflecting technological innovation and foresight.
DCEP
eCNY
China
Digital Renminbi
Digital Payments
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