Core Viewpoint - The Chinese offline mobile payment market is evolving from a single form to a multi-dimensional stage, with the introduction of "tap to pay" technology competing alongside QR code payments, as companies look to expand into overseas markets due to domestic saturation [2][9]. Group 1: Market Evolution - The "tap to pay" technology, based on NFC (Near Field Communication), has gained significant traction, with over 200 million users reported within a year of its launch in June 2024 [3][11]. - The mobile payment landscape in China has shifted dramatically since the introduction of QR code payments, which became dominant after the People's Bank of China recognized their compliance in 2016 [3][4]. - In 2016, the transaction volume for third-party mobile payments reached approximately 38 trillion RMB, significantly outpacing the U.S. market [3]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition between Alipay and WeChat Pay has intensified, with market shares shifting dramatically from a 70-30 split in favor of Alipay at the end of 2015 to a near reversal by the end of 2016 [4][27]. - WeChat Pay has maintained a strong presence in offline payment scenarios due to its integration with social media, while Alipay is now attempting to regain lost market share through the promotion of "tap to pay" [6][24]. - The introduction of "tap to pay" is seen as a strategic move by Alipay to counter WeChat's competitive pressure and to better position itself in international markets [9][47]. Group 3: User Experience and Adoption - "Tap to pay" offers a more streamlined user experience, reducing transaction time to 3-5 seconds compared to 15-30 seconds for QR code payments, which may enhance user adoption [6][13][20]. - The rapid adoption of "tap to pay" is attributed to the increasing prevalence of NFC-enabled smartphones, with projections indicating that by 2024, 70% of sold smartphones will support NFC [16][17]. - Despite the advantages of "tap to pay," QR code payments remain deeply ingrained in consumer habits, with a penetration rate of 92.7% for QR code payments among users [21]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The global mobile payment market is expected to grow at a rate of 20% annually, potentially exceeding $30 trillion by 2026, prompting Chinese payment giants to seek opportunities abroad [9][45]. - Alipay's "tap to pay" is anticipated to align better with international payment habits, providing a competitive edge in overseas markets [47]. - The coexistence of multiple payment methods, including QR code and "tap to pay," is likely to create a dynamic market where both can thrive, catering to different user preferences and scenarios [33][32].