Core Insights - The article emphasizes the transformative role of China UnionPay in the global payment industry, highlighting its innovative approach to cross-border payment solutions and the establishment of a more inclusive payment ecosystem [1][3][7] Group 1: China UnionPay's Role in Global Payments - China UnionPay is positioned as a "connector" in the global payment network, facilitating cross-border payment services and creating a new ecosystem for global payments [3][4] - The company has expanded its service offerings, partnering with local networks in various countries to enhance its global reach, including collaborations in Armenia and the UAE [3][4] - UnionPay's global acceptance network now covers 183 countries and regions, with over 200 local wallets supporting UnionPay QR codes or mobile payments [7][8] Group 2: Innovations and Collaborations - The company has introduced a new "four-party model" that includes wallet providers and mobile manufacturers, aiming to create a more open and inclusive payment environment [1][7] - UnionPay has established partnerships with 11 global institutions, including banks and payment networks from countries like Malaysia and Uzbekistan, to enhance cross-border payment capabilities [1][2] - The "China-Indonesia cross-border QR code interconnection" project exemplifies the collaborative efforts under the new model, showcasing the integration of various stakeholders to facilitate seamless payments [8][9] Group 3: Ecosystem Development and Shared Infrastructure - UnionPay is committed to building a shared infrastructure for payment systems, allowing banks to utilize standardized APIs and security frameworks, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of payment networks [9] - The company aims to reduce fragmentation in the global payment ecosystem by fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative defense against financial risks [6][9] - UnionPay's initiatives are not merely about market expansion but also about creating a sustainable and interconnected payment ecosystem that benefits all participants [6][9]

Core Insights - Vietnam's banking sector is experiencing significant digital transformation, with non-cash payment transactions and electronic identity verification showing strong growth [1][2] Group 1: Digital Payment Growth - Non-cash payment transaction volume increased by 43.32% and transaction value grew by 24.23% compared to the same period in 2024 [1] - Internet payment transaction volume rose by 51.2% and transaction value increased by 37.17% [1] - Mobile payment transaction volume grew by 37.37% and transaction value increased by 21.79% [1] - QR code payment transaction volume surged by 61.63% and transaction value skyrocketed by 150.67%, making it the fastest-growing payment channel [1] - ATM transaction volume decreased by 16.77% and transaction value fell by 5.74%, indicating a significant reduction in cash usage [1] Group 2: Financial Inclusion - As of September 2025, Vietnam had 10.89 million mobile payment accounts, with approximately 70% belonging to users in rural, mountainous, island, and border areas [1] - Total transaction volume exceeded 290 million, with a transaction value of 85.11 trillion VND, significantly promoting financial inclusion and reducing regional digital gaps [1] - The State Bank of Vietnam has issued payment service licenses to 53 institutions, with 49 providing e-wallet services [1] Group 3: Digital Transformation in Banking - Nearly all basic banking services have been digitized, with 95% of transactions completed through digital channels [2] - Banks are integrating seamlessly with various services such as electricity, water, telecommunications, healthcare, education, e-commerce, tourism, and public administration [2] - Financial institutions are actively utilizing artificial intelligence and big data for customer behavior analysis and credit assessment, automating business processes [2] Group 4: Electronic Identity Verification - By October 10, 2025, over 132 million individual and 1.4 million institutional customer profiles had undergone biometric verification [2] - 57 banks and 39 payment intermediaries have connected to the citizen ID chip authentication system [2] - 28 banks and 4 intermediaries have linked social security accounts with bank accounts through VNeID, facilitating pension and benefit payments for the public [2]

Group 1 - The company has completed the acquisition of 80% of Hwabao Trust Limited, a company registered under Hong Kong law, which holds a TCSP license, enhancing its service capabilities for Fopay users [1] - Following the acquisition, Fopay will launch two new features: cross-border transfers and QR code payments, aimed at providing a more efficient and cost-effective payment experience for local users in selected markets [1] - The board believes that the acquisition aligns with the overall interests of the company and its shareholders [1] Group 2 - The company will continue to explore new investment and business opportunities for sustainable growth and long-term shareholder returns, including expanding Fopay's service offerings [2] - Compliance with applicable laws and regulations in target jurisdictions is crucial, and the company will ensure that any new investments and service expansions through Fopay adhere to these legal requirements [2] - The company may collaborate with qualified service providers or business partners, or obtain necessary licenses through acquisitions to ensure compliance [2]

Core Viewpoint - The current payment industry in China is transitioning from rapid development to high-quality development, facing structural and institutional challenges that need to be addressed, with interoperability being a necessary path to resolve issues in the payment sector [1][2][3]. Industry Challenges - The payment industry in China is characterized by high concentration, with issues such as network and standard incompatibility, insufficient industry collaboration, and a lack of sustainable development capabilities [2][3]. - The domestic QR code payment market has developed multiple standards and networks, leading to inadequate interoperability and compatibility among different networks, which hampers efficient resource utilization [2]. - The cross-border payment sector suffers from insufficient coordination, with a two-way connection model leading to issues like redundant construction and resource waste, affecting the efficiency and user experience of foreign wallet integration [2][4]. Interoperability as a Solution - Promoting interoperability in QR code payments is seen as a crucial breakthrough to address the aforementioned challenges, with a focus on creating an open and win-win industrial consensus [3][4]. - A systematic framework for promoting payment interoperability will be established, addressing key aspects such as rules, pricing, network connectivity, infrastructure interconnection, and regulatory governance [3][4]. Progress and Initiatives - Significant progress has been made in promoting interoperability, including the successful establishment of a new path for rapid payment system interoperability between mainland China and Hong Kong, which has been operational since June [4][5]. - The People's Bank of China has guided the establishment of a cross-border QR code unified gateway, which has processed 198.1 million transactions amounting to 427 million yuan as of September 11 [5][6]. Future Directions - The People's Bank of China aims to further enhance the cross-border payment interoperability mechanism, focusing on collaboration among government, infrastructure, and market entities to strengthen China's global financial connectivity [7][8]. - There is an emphasis on building a more open and efficient domestic QR code payment network, encouraging market institutions to engage in interoperability cooperation while optimizing the industry ecosystem [7][8].