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Expanding your business in China: payment methods beyond WeChat and Alipay

In the past decade, China has undergone a transformation in payment technologies. With a larger user base and more comprehensive functionalities, even street vendors and small businesses commonly accept mobile payments.

This payment revolution arises from two key factors: widespread smartphone penetration and the emergence of highly intuitive platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, which have made cashless transactions ubiquitous. It is safe to say that setting up mobile payment methods in China is inevitable for businesses aiming to enter the market.

Keeping pace with China’s mobile payment regulations

China’s approach to internet governance has contributed to the prosperity of mobile payment platforms. By creating a protective environment, domestic technology can develop quickly. This approach not only provides the government with extensive financial data but also supports technological innovation and financial monitoring.

However, complying with the cybersecurity measures can be challenging for businesses outside of China. If not handled properly, websites slow down or even crash.

With experience in assisting numerous clients, GoClick China offers comprehensive yet tailored business solutions, including manual and synthetic testing to enhance the security, stability, and reliability of your web presence in China.

The dominating duo: WeChat Pay and Alipay

With restrictions on foreign platforms, domestic companies gained an edge in China. The isolated internet environment led to the dominance of WeChat Pay (Tencent) and Alipay (Alibaba), embedded within their broader ecosystems – WeChat for communication and Alipay for e-commerce.

According to Statista, their combined user base in 2024 is estimated at nearly 2.5 billion, accounting for over 90% of mobile payments in China. Their key features include:

  1. QR code payments: Fast, convenient and widely accepted across online and offline settings, their success stems from low infrastructure requirements, high mobile penetration and seamless integration into daily activities.
  2. In-app payments: Customers can access services within a single app, from e-commerce to food delivery and ride-hailing, streamlining transactions.
  3. E-wallet features: Users can link bank accounts for contactless payments and digital money management, including instant peer-to-peer transfers.
  4. Wealth management: Both platforms offer investment products, such as Alipay’s Yu’e Bao (余额宝), where users can invest idle balances into money market funds and use these funds directly.

These two near-monopolies have left little room for other payment systems. To effectively reach customers, businesses should integrate with both platforms. However, businesses will need to invest resources in integration with their respective ecosystems. Partnering with a third-party technology expert can significantly simplify the process.

The national champion: UnionPay Cloud QuickPass

UnionPay, a state-backed entity, is China’s sole interbank network, connecting bank ATMs nationwide.

While Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate the domestic mobile payment market, UnionPay plays a complementary role, particularly in traditional retail and international transactions. As one of the world’s largest card payment organizations, UnionPay cards are accepted both domestically and internationally.

UnionPay’s mobile payment app, Cloud QuickPass, enables QR code and NFC payments for both online and offline transactions while adhering to international security standards. The company collaborates with Alipay and WeChat Pay to enhance interoperability across various usage environments.

Despite the dominance of mobile wallets, UnionPay’s robust infrastructure and international reach remain valuable options for businesses, especially those targeting traditional retail, international travelers and a broader demographic.

Other popular mobile payment methods in China

While WeChat Pay, Alipay and UnionPay have emerged as the clear favorites for mobile payments in China, there are other payment options.

E-commerce platforms and their payment solutions

  1. JD Pay: While not as widespread as Alipay and WeChat Pay, JD Pay offers exclusive deals to JD.com shoppers due to its close integration with the platform.
  2. Meituan Pay: Prevalent in urban areas, Meituan Pay specializes in local service payments, including food delivery, grocery shopping and ride-hailing services.

Mobile wallets

  1. AlipayHK: Designed for Hong Kong users, AlipayHK is commonly used for local transactions and cross-border payments within the Greater Bay Area.
  2. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay: The strength of these platforms lies in the popularity of their device. The built-in security features not only come in handy but also instill trust in users who are concerned about their financial information.
  3. Other mobile wallets: Several other mobile wallets like Xiaomi Pay and Huawei Pay often offer tight integration with device features and offer exclusive promotions for brand loyalists.

Traditional payment methods

  1. UnionPay Online: UnionPay Online handles general online transactions, complementing UnionPay Cloud QuickPass. Supporting both platforms is recommended for comprehensive coverage in China.
  2. OnePass: A Ping An Group service offering integrated financial solutions, including online payments, insurance, and investment products.
  3. Lakala Pay: Its parent company, Ping An Group, initially focused on offline payment terminals and point-of-sale (POS) systems. Now it extends to online payment solutions, primarily serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

GoClick China: Local expertise for your mobile payment method integration needs in China

GoClick China helps businesses overcome the unique challenges posed by the Chinese internet environment. These challenges include performance bottlenecks caused by factors like the Great Firewall of China (GFoC) and internet service provider (ISP) connections, as well as infrastructure limitations.

Our solutions include both manual testing and synthetic testing.

With manual testing, you can get real Chinese testers’ opinions. They can perform actual transactions on different devices and under varying network conditions, discovering if there are any obstacles or potential vulnerabilities in the payment process.

Our synthetic testing complements manual testing by creating a controlled environment. This allows continuous monitoring of payment gateway availability and performance from various locations within China, helping to identify and resolve performance issues proactively.

How GoClick China stands out among others

GoClick China’s key advantage lies in our on-the-ground presence: Chinese testers and experts located within China. Our testers can identify and address issues that might be overlooked in remote testing.

We bridge language barriers and cultural nuances through direct access to local resources. Our team at GoClick China stays current with regulatory changes and policy updates, providing timely and accurate compliance advice to our clients.

China’s ongoing updates on cyber security and data resources laws can make the market unpredictable. With GoClick China, you can stay informed of regulations when entering the market.

Conclusion

Mobile payments dominate China’s marketplace, with WeChat Pay and Alipay leading the charge. Beyond these two giants, choosing the right additional payment methods depends largely on your company’s goals and target audience.

For foreign businesses, infrastructure setup and compliance with transaction rules often create significant operational challenges. Determining the most suitable testing scenario for your use case can also be complex. This is where GoClick China makes the difference.

Whether you’re just entering the market or looking to expand, we’ll guide you and turn these challenges into opportunities. Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of China’s regulatory landscape and offers practical insights tailored to your business needs.

Reach out to us today for a consultation. Our specialists will be happy to answer all your questions.

GoClick China

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