China has the biggest digital payment market in the world. Now, more than 90% of people in China pay with mobile apps. The 2 big names dominate China cashless market are Alipay and WeChat Pay. In this blog, I'm going to talk about how to use them in detail. If you are going to China, you can't miss this blog to learn all the digital payment tips in China!
Alipay is the most frequently used payment app in China. Users can make payments easily by scanning a QR code with Alipay. It allows linking to Visa debit/credit cards without the need for a Chinese phone number. With over 1.3 billion users, Alipay dominates the digital wallet market, holding a 55% share. It's owned by Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group. Alipay is accepted by major Chinese e-commerce platforms and offers several payment methods, including escrow services. It has expanded internationally, entering the US and UK through partnerships. Alipay operates in various regions, supports facial-recognition payments, and handles 14 currencies for cross-border transactions.
In China, WeChat is the top app for communication and is the second widely used app for payments. It enables users to carry out a range of activities such as ordering food, online shopping, booking taxi, all without the necessity for cash or physical cards. With a user base of 800 million, WeChat Pay commands a considerable 38% of the market. By 2020, its adoption rate had soared to 92.7%. Introduced by Tencent in 2013, WeChat has expanded its offerings to include a variety of functions, notably in payment services. It facilitates investment payments at low fees, specifically 0.1% for transactions of RMB 10,000 for those within China.
Source from alipayplus.com
| General Steps to Use Payment Apps | Description |
| Download a Digital Wallet | Choose WeChat Pay or Alipay. Download your chosen app from the app store. Both supports Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, JCB. |
| Registration | Register using your phone number and complete the app's verification process to secure your data. |
| Link Your Preferred Payment Method | Connect an international credit card to start. |
| Use QR Codes | Get ready to scan QR codes with the app's scanner for instant payments in various scenarios including shopping and using public transport. |
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| Steps to Use Alipay | Process |
| Download & Register | Scan QR > Download Alipay > Enter mobile number > Tap "Next". |
| Add Bank Card | Tap "Add Now" > Enter or scan card details. |
| Check Eligible Cards | Check card eligibility: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover. |
Tap “Add Now” and follow on-page prompts ('Enter Card Number' or Scan Card) to complete the process.
Please ensure your card is supported by checking this list of international cards eligible for use with Alipay: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover:
| Steps to Use Wechat Pay | Process |
| 1. Download/Update WeChat | On your mobile, download or update WeChat to the newest version, then register or sign in with your phone number. |
| 2. Activate Weixin Pay | Tap: Me > Services > Wallet. If not found, go to: Me > Settings > General > Tools > Weixin Pay > Tap Enable. |
| 3. Add Identity & Card | In Wallet, choose Add a Card > Agree to terms > Enter identity details > Tap Next to add card, following prompts. |
Note:
| Method | Description | Applicability |
| Quick Pay | Customers show unique QR > merchants scan for instant payment. | Offline stores. |
| QR Code Payment | Merchants create QRs > customers scan to pay. | Websites, stores, ads. |
| In-App Payment | WeChat Pay processes payments inside other apps. | App purchases. |
| In-App Web-based Payment | Purchase through links in Official Account or QR scans. | Social media, official accounts. |