Yesterday (14th), the People's Bank of China released a payment guide for foreigners in China, introducing how to obtain and use various payment services.

The Ministry of Commerce has also recently compiled the "Guidelines for Foreign Business Personnel Working and Living in China" (2024 Edition), which covers matters such as handling accommodation, bank cards, and opening mobile payments, for the reference of foreigners coming to China.

Many foreigners in China say that various payment methods make their life and work in China more convenient.

　　Mizrahi, a foreigner in China: I just arrived here yesterday, so I don’t know much. The only way is to pay in cash.

　　John, a foreigner in China: It just took me a little time to understand WeChat Pay. I used Alipay a few times before. It makes life very simple. WeChat Pay also makes life easier.

So I think it's really convenient.

　　Ramil, a foreigner in China: Alipay, credit card, and WeChat Pay (all used) make life in China more convenient.

　　Carlo, a foreigner in China: When I entered the country in Shanghai a few days ago, I withdrew about 300 yuan from a bank ATM. I never used them because I basically used Alipay and a few credit cards.

You need to get used to using mobile payments like Alipay.

Once you use it, it's convenient and works great.

　　News feature: Payment experience of long-term foreigners in China

　　Various payment methods also make the work and life of foreigners who have been in China for a long time more convenient. During the interview, the reporter met two foreign friends who have been living in China for a long time. What are their feelings?

　　Da Yu and Xiao Ma are freelance designers from France. Talking about the time when they first came to China five years ago, Xiao Ma remembered an interesting incident at that time.

　　Xiao Ma, a foreigner in China: Our work place was far away at that time, so we needed to ride shared bicycles to the subway station and then to the company.

But we couldn’t ride because we didn’t know how to scan the QR code on the bike at that time.

So I remember when we first arrived in Beijing, I walked a lot.

　　Now, the two have opened their own company. Recently, they are helping customers in Beijing with interior design. Because they love traditional Chinese culture and hope to draw design inspiration from it, they often shuttle in the alleys of Beijing. Now, they not only know every The name of the alley and being familiar with the shops here. By understanding the payment guide and instructions, you can easily scan the QR code to buy some snacks on your way to and from get off work.

　　Mobile payment platforms actively explore new convenient payment methods

　　In response to the payment needs of different groups of people, the People's Bank of China's Payment Guidelines for Foreigners in China has issued specific usage guidelines for different mobile payment platforms.

Various mobile payment platforms are also exploring more convenient methods.

　　In view of the different payment habits and differences of some foreigners in China, and to facilitate the "last mile" of mobile payment, this mobile payment platform optimizes services by simplifying the card binding process and expanding application scenarios.

　　Dai Haiyong, Tenpay’s cross-border payment product director: We first opened up the entire payment path and experience, allowing him to tie his foreign card to WeChat Pay for use.

The second point is that we have expanded the scope of payment services and service experience.

We have expanded our original support to more than 800 merchants to all merchants in various fields including food, clothing, housing, transportation, and entertainment across the country.

　　In addition to bundling foreign cards, in order to enrich service types, this mobile payment platform is currently using two sets of service plans: bundling foreign cards and outsourcing internal use to ensure the mobile payment of foreigners in China.

To put it simply, after foreigners in China download the application, they can either bind an overseas bank card or directly use an overseas e-wallet to scan the QR code to pay.

　　Staff told reporters that after the release of the service guide, the platform is improving and optimizing according to user needs to clear up the blocking points in various links.

　　Zhu Xugang, director of cross-border business of Ant Group: To expand the scope of our service coverage, our overseas wallet now covers 10 e-wallets in 7 countries and regions. This year, we also hope to expand the coverage of more e-wallets to facilitate their use in their home countries and hometowns. e-wallet for scanning QR codes to pay in China.

　　(CCTV reporters Liu Ying, Tian Qiyong, Shao Chen, He Junru and Wang Luying)