Tencent has made it more convenient and safer to register for a WeChat account, as well as quicker and easier to link international payment cards to Weixin Pay*. Weixin Pay is also actively exploring interoperability with more overseas e-wallets to further enhance the payment experiences for visitors.
After downloading or updating the latest version of the WeChat app, overseas users can register for a WeChat account with an overseas mobile number, defined as a mobile number that does not have the +86 country/region code. They can either sign up for a new account or sign in with an existing WeChat account. After filling in basic card details to link an eligible international card** with Weixin Pay, overseas users will be able to easily access over tens of millions of merchants in the mainland of China, including small and medium-sized businesses and street vendors. The simplified card linking process allows international visitors to spend up to a certain amount safely and conveniently, Tencent said.
Those who would like to enjoy a higher transaction limit, can complete an identity verification process by submitting relevant information. Passport verification can take just seconds to complete. Weixin Pay has increased transaction limits for verified international users, with the single transaction limit being raised from US$1,000 to up to US$5,000, and the annual transaction limit being raised from US$10,000 to up to US$50,000. To provide international visitors with more diverse payment options, in addition to linking international cards with Weixin Pay, overseas users can also apply for and link UnionPay's Tour Card, a prepaid card offering a one-stop service for top-up and consumption, through Weixin Pay.
To support Malaysian visitors to China, Tenpay Payment Technology Company, NetsUnion Clearing Corporation, and China Construction Bank (Malaysia) have partnered with Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) for cross-border QR payment interoperability. Users of multiple local wallets in the PayNet system will soon be able to make payments in the mainland of China by scanning Weixin Pay QR codes displayed by merchants in China. Tenpay Global, Tencent's cross-border payment platform, will also work with NetsUnion to connect more overseas local wallets.
As the first overseas digital wallet entering the mainland of China, WeChat Pay HK, a HK$ e- wallet catering to Hong Kong residents, has already covered tens of millions of merchants in all cities in the mainland since the end of last year. With WeChat Pay HK wallet, Hong Kong residents are able to make payments in Hong Kong dollars, which are automatically converted from RMB for settlement. WeChat Pay HK has also raised transaction limits, increasing the single transaction limit to HK$38,000 and annual transaction limit to HK$400,000 for verified users.
Compared with the data before the merchant network was fully opened in July 2023, the average daily transaction volume of Weixin Pay's international card service has increased by over 3x, and average daily transactions have increased by over 4x. Consumption in online lifestyle services, shopping, dining and tourism is booming, with an average daily transaction amount of about RMB100.
Tencent recently launched a dedicated web page for visitors to Mainland China: Welcome to China, easy pay with Weixin Pay — about using Weixin Pay. Visit the page at https://www.tencent.com/en-us/media/weixin-pay.html.
*Weixin and WeChat are services operated by different companies under the Tencent group. There is built-in interoperability so that Weixin and WeChat users can connect with each other. Weixin users use Chinese Mainland mobile numbers while WeChat users use non-Chinese Mainland mobile numbers.
**Eligible international card refers to any payment card from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Global Network (including Diners Club) or JCB, and issued outside of Mainland China.
