Alipay & Mastercard enable travellers to use digital payments in China

By Leandra Monteiro

Mastercard and Alipay, China’s digital open platform under Ant Group, announced the launch of a new payments option that provides international tourists visiting China with another simple and secure way to go cashless.

The new service by Alipay and Mastercard offers international visitors to China to pay like a local when traveling around the Chinese Mainland, regardless of where in the world their Mastercard card was issued. Cardholders simply need to link their existing Mastercard credit or debit card to the Alipay digital wallet.

“We strive to enable more consumers and SMEs to enjoy the benefits brought by inclusive digital payment services,” said Venetia Lee, General Manager of Ant Group Greater China International Business. “The new service offered by Alipay and Mastercard will not only enable a better experience for international travelers when visiting China but will also unlock more business opportunities for merchants on the Alipay open platform as global travel is set for rapid growth.”

For merchants, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Alipay-Mastercard tie up gives them more opportunities to transact with international visitors who will now have access to the most widely accepted payment method in China, allowing them to get around easily, without hassle.

“This next step in the partnership with Ant Group exemplifies Mastercard’s long term commitment to the China market, and the company’s continuous global effort to power economies and empower people,” said Dennis Chang, Executive Vice President and Division President, Greater China, Mastercard. “As travel and tourism rebounds, Mastercard is delighted to partner with Alipay to enable cardholders worldwide to enjoy the ultimate in payments security, convenience, and peace of mind as they work, play, rest, and roam during their journeys to China.”

With Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS), overseas card transactions completed on the Alipay digital wallet are processed through Mastercard’s omnichannel payments platform that enables merchants to easily accept a payment from anywhere in the world, helping businesses to grow, and consumers to transact safely and securely while at home or abroad.