Group 1 - The article highlights the significant improvement in payment convenience in the ancient city of Langzhong, Sichuan, attracting both domestic and international tourists [1][2] - The People's Bank of China in Nanchong has been actively promoting payment facilitation in Langzhong, creating a "no-barrier payment street" with over 150 key merchants and various payment options like WeChat and Alipay [2][3] - During the summer vacation, promotional activities led to over 3,100 discount transactions amounting to approximately 66,100 yuan, stimulating consumption exceeding 3 million yuan in the Langzhong business district [2] Group 2 - The article also discusses the payment service enhancements at the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang, which has seen an influx of tourists during the summer season [4] - The People's Bank of China in Deyang has implemented various payment services, including a bilingual feedback system and promotional discounts for visitors, enhancing the overall tourist experience [4] - The financial services provided are aimed at boosting cultural tourism consumption in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, demonstrating the integration of finance and tourism [4]

2025年8月5日，成都世运村A区注册中心迎来代表团报到高峰。克罗地亚世界运动会代表团刚抵达，工商银行成都分行工作人员 便主动迎上前，递上清凉矿泉水，送上双语《ICBC Pass服务指南》，并现场协助办理"卡码通"新型支付产品。短短十余分钟， 代表团成员便完成开卡、绑卡、激活全流程，成为当日首个"全团发放'卡码通'"的境外代表团，率先享受到"一卡在手、畅行蓉 城"的便捷体验。 工商银行e生活小站为各国代表团提供便捷的"卡码通"办理服务。龚航 摄 该产品具有"快速申领、隐私保护、充值即用、便利支付"四大特点。外籍人士凭有效身份证件可在工行指定网点或世运村服务 点领取实体卡，手机扫描卡片背后二维码，即可在30秒内完成激活、绑定境外银行卡及充值，支持线下挥卡、插卡及线上二维 码多场景支付，覆盖成都所有的银联商户。 工商银行创新推出的"工银卡码通"。龚航 摄 为确保各代表团及国际友人"随到随办"，工行成都分行在世运村A、B区、双流国际机场、赛事核心区酒店群构建了全覆盖金融 服务网络：6个自助银行服务区提供14种主流货币兑换、数字人民币支付、零钱包兑换等全天候服务；2台流动银行车每日9:00- 17:00穿梭场馆，配备 ...

会议要求，要稳慎扎实推进人民币国际化，积极推动人民币在贸易投资、跨境支付等领域使用。加紧实 施更加积极有为外汇政策支持稳外资稳外贸，优化重点领域金融外汇服务支持区域开放发展。 北京商报讯（记者 刘四红）8月8日，据人民银行重庆市分行官网当日消息，中国人民银行重庆市分行 召开2025年下半年工作会议暨重庆外汇管理工作会议。 坚持强监管与优服务并重。规范高效推进行政执法。持续推进打击洗钱违法犯罪活动。严格金融数据管 理。常态化提升支付便利化水平。深化数字人民币试点建设。保障国库业务平稳有序运行。推动资金流 信用信息平台在金融"五篇大文章"领域的运用。 ...

Core Viewpoint - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is actively enhancing payment services for specific groups such as the elderly and foreign visitors, resulting in significant improvements in payment convenience across various scenarios [1][2][3]. Group 1: Payment Convenience Enhancements - The PBOC has implemented measures to improve payment services for foreign visitors and the elderly, leading to a noticeable increase in payment convenience [2]. - Foreign bank card acceptance has been made more convenient, with a significant increase in the coverage of foreign card acceptance in key locations such as shopping areas, scenic spots, airports, and hotels [2]. - Mobile payment acceptance has greatly improved, allowing foreign visitors to register for Alipay and WeChat using their foreign phone numbers and bind foreign bank cards for payments [2][4]. - The demand for foreign currency exchange has been effectively met, with foreign visitors able to exchange currency at approximately 67,000 bank outlets and 32,000 ATMs nationwide [2]. Group 2: Simplified Banking Services - Foreign visitors can now open domestic bank accounts more easily, with simplified procedures and multi-language support, significantly enhancing their banking experience [3]. - The PBOC has made efforts to improve banking services for the elderly, with over 99% of bank branches undergoing modifications to enhance accessibility for older customers [3]. Group 3: Cash Payment Environment - The PBOC is committed to optimizing the cash payment environment, with 99.3% of surveyed businesses supporting cash payments [6]. - Future plans include enhancing inter-departmental collaboration to ensure the implementation of cash usage policies and improving merchants' cash handling services [6][7]. - The PBOC aims to establish a sustainable model for small denomination cash services and will continue to address and penalize businesses that refuse cash payments [7].

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing acceptance and convenience of mobile payment systems among foreign visitors in China, driven by recent government initiatives to enhance payment services [1][2][4] Group 1: Mobile Payment Adoption - Foreign tourists in China are increasingly using mobile payment methods, with services like "external card binding" and "external package use" facilitating nearly 7 million international consumers in 2024, resulting in a transaction volume and number of transactions increasing over threefold year-on-year [1] - The successful payment rate for foreign customers at retail stores has improved significantly, with a success rate exceeding 90% compared to only 10-20% previously [2] Group 2: Merchant Opportunities - The convenience of mobile payments has led to increased foot traffic and sales for merchants, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, with a notable rise in purchases from Southeast Asian customers [2] - Partnerships between payment platforms like Alipay and major credit card companies, such as American Express, have expanded the acceptance of international cards, covering seven major global card brands [2] Group 3: Currency Exchange Services - The establishment of foreign currency self-service exchange machines has improved the efficiency and convenience of currency exchange for foreign visitors, allowing for quick transactions without prior appointments [4][5] - Banks are enhancing their services by providing multi-language support and enabling cash withdrawals using international cards at ATMs, further facilitating the payment experience for foreign tourists [4]

Group 1 - The 12th World Games will be held in Chengdu from August 7 to August 17, 2025, with a focus on enhancing financial services for both domestic and international visitors through various payment methods [1] - The People's Bank of China Sichuan Branch will implement a responsibility system for host banks to create a convenient payment environment during the event [1] - Chengdu has established 10 premium payment convenience business circles at popular tourist spots, providing bilingual payment guides for international visitors [1] Group 2 - A total of 65,000 merchants in Chengdu will accept foreign cards, with 13,800 key merchants covering various categories of food, tourism, entertainment, and shopping [2] - Currency exchange services will be available at the World Games Village, designated hotels, and major airports, ensuring a one-stop service for foreign currency exchange [2] - The Sichuan Branch of the People's Bank of China aims to ensure sufficient cash supply and smooth access for visitors, with over 2,000 bank outlets facilitating cash exchange services [2] Group 3 - During the World Games, the acceptance of digital RMB will expand, with 365 existing merchants upgraded to accept digital currency, including 91 that support hard wallets [3] - Small and frequent consumption scenarios will be fully covered in event venues and cultural experience points, enhancing the digital payment experience for visitors [3] - The application of digital RMB for "tax refund upon departure" will be explored, providing convenience for international travelers [3]

Core Insights - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) Sichuan Branch is collaborating with the provincial commerce department to enhance payment convenience in areas with a high concentration of foreign personnel, focusing on expanding foreign card merchants and improving services like cash withdrawal and currency exchange [1][4] Group 1: Payment Convenience Initiatives - A total of 31 payment convenience boutique business circles have been established across 21 cities in Sichuan, including 16 commercial and 14 scenic areas, covering major tourist attractions [1][2] - The Sichuan Provincial Payment Clearing Association is integrating boutique business circle construction into industry self-regulation, with a verification group assessing 6 key areas and 29 evaluation points [2] Group 2: Innovative Payment Solutions - Various cities in Sichuan are launching diverse payment scenarios through cultural and sporting events, enhancing the payment experience and promoting the integration of culture, tourism, and commerce [3] - The Sanxingdui Museum's boutique business circle has introduced a diversified payment system, while the Neijiang Daqian Zhuoerhui circle leverages cultural IP to create a closed-loop experience for consumers [3] Group 3: Service Expansion and Accessibility - Sichuan has over 100,000 foreign card merchants, covering multiple sectors, with most four-star hotels and top-tier hospitals accepting foreign cards [4] - The province has seen over 1 million transactions using foreign card mobile payment services, amounting to nearly 250 million yuan, and has established 16,000 ATMs supporting foreign card withdrawals [4]

Core Viewpoint - Beijing has upgraded its urban rail transit payment system to support JCB and American Express cards, making it the first city globally to offer comprehensive payment services from five major card organizations [1][2]. Group 1 - The new payment features allow foreign passengers to use JCB and American Express cards for quick access through the subway gates, enhancing payment convenience [1][2]. - The implementation involved system modifications for ticket machines and gates, ensuring efficient transaction processing and customized services for settlement and reconciliation [2]. - Over 30,000 external card acceptance stickers were produced and distributed across 29 operational lines and 523 stations, ensuring foreign visitors receive timely information [2]. Group 2 - Citic Bank is actively enhancing payment convenience not only in public transport but also in retail and dining sectors, aiming to meet the needs of foreign visitors in various scenarios [2]. - The bank plans to continue optimizing payment services in line with the People's Bank of China's directives, focusing on the needs of foreign nationals in China [2].

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of visa-free policies and the establishment of a "Payment Facilitation Demonstration Zone" in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, have significantly improved the payment experience for foreign visitors and residents, leading to increased international transactions and merchant participation [1][2][6]. Group 1: Payment Facilitation Initiatives - The "Payment Facilitation Demonstration Zone" in Yuzhong District has enhanced the payment experience for foreign nationals and elderly individuals since its launch in April 2024 [1]. - As of the first quarter of 2025, the number of merchants accepting foreign cards in Yuzhong District reached 5,624, a 139% increase from the end of 2023, with significant growth in transaction volume and value [2]. - The district has seen a 223.6% increase in foreign card transaction counts and a 196.3% increase in transaction amounts, totaling 73,600 transactions worth 159 million yuan from January to March 2025 [2]. Group 2: Currency Exchange Services - There are currently 119 bank branches in Yuzhong District offering foreign currency exchange services, an 18% increase from the end of 2023, with 374 ATMs supporting foreign card cash withdrawals, a 56.5% increase [3][4]. - The establishment of foreign currency exchange points and self-service machines in key hotels and areas has made it easier for foreign visitors to exchange currency without prior appointments [4]. Group 3: Mobile Payment Integration - The collaboration between the People's Bank of China Chongqing Branch and major payment platforms has led to the expansion of mobile payment options for foreign visitors, supporting 13 electronic wallets from 10 countries and regions [6]. - In the first quarter of 2025, the number of mobile payment transactions and transaction amounts for foreign visitors increased by 2.5 times and 2.4 times, respectively [6]. Group 4: Cash Payment Support - The "零钱包" initiative has distributed 99,000 cash wallets to facilitate small denomination cash transactions, ensuring that foreign visitors can easily make payments in various settings [7]. - The initiative has been particularly beneficial in the taxi industry, with 31,100 cash wallets issued to enhance payment convenience for foreign tourists [7].

Core Viewpoint - The recent guidelines issued by the People's Bank of China and six other departments aim to enhance financial support for consumption, focusing on improving payment services and experiences for consumers, particularly in key consumption areas such as food, housing, transportation, tourism, shopping, entertainment, and healthcare [1] Payment Experience Enhancement - The rapid development of mobile payments in China has led to an increased need for inclusive payment services for foreign visitors who may prefer cash or card payments. From 2019 to May 2025, the total transaction volume for "foreign card binding" and "foreign wallet usage" reached 3.79 billion transactions, amounting to 604.39 billion yuan [2] - Daily average transactions for these services reached 1.2193 million, with a daily average transaction amount of 16.997 million yuan by May 2025, reflecting year-on-year growth of 185% and 135% respectively [2] Increased Acceptance of Mobile Payments - The acceptance of mobile payments among foreign visitors has significantly improved, with WeChat Pay transactions for foreign cards tripling compared to the previous year. New users can enjoy fee waivers for the first 60 days after binding their foreign cards [3] - Alipay reported a more than 200% increase in usage among inbound tourists from January to May this year, with a 400% increase in transaction volume on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival [3] Policy Incentives and Consumer Engagement - The "old-for-new" consumption promotion policies have been actively supported by payment platforms like China UnionPay, WeChat Pay, and Alipay, facilitating the distribution of subsidies and enhancing consumer engagement [5] - By May 2025, UnionPay had supported the redemption of over 80 billion yuan in national subsidies, directly stimulating consumption by over 500 billion yuan and benefiting 64 million consumers [5] Digital Currency Innovations - The digital yuan has seen service upgrades, including the expansion of "tap and go" access for public transport in Shanghai, allowing seamless travel for both locals and foreign visitors [7] - The digital yuan hard wallet is gaining popularity among foreign tourists and various demographic groups due to its low entry barriers and wide application scenarios [8] Future Outlook - The digital yuan's promotional activities have not only increased its adoption but also boosted sales in local businesses, with significant transaction volumes reported by banks involved in the initiative [9] - Analysts suggest that enhancing the stability and reliability of the digital yuan system while expanding its application scenarios will be crucial for its future growth [9]