2024-03-09 03:36:39
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 8 Question: This document is released to better meet the payment needs of the elderly, foreigners coming to China, etc.
Xinhua News Agency reporters Zhang Qianqian and Wu Yu
On the evening of the 7th, the “Opinions on Further Optimizing Payment Services and Improving Payment Convenience” was officially released. The opinions put forward a series of requirements in terms of improving the bank card acceptance environment, optimizing the cash usage environment, and improving the convenience of mobile payments to better meet the diverse payment service needs of the elderly, foreigners in China and other groups. Let’s take a look at the key points—
Point 1: Effectively improve the bank card acceptance environment
At present, some overseas people in China have inconvenience in payment, which is largely due to the different payment habits between China and foreign countries. Many overseas people in China are still accustomed to using bank cards.
The opinions require that the convenience of using bank cards for the elderly, foreigners coming to China and other groups should be continuously improved, and the use of bank cards for payment in convenient scenes such as public utility payments, medical care, tourist attractions, and shopping malls should be supported.
According to the opinions, local governments should focus on scenarios such as “food, housing, transportation, travel, shopping, entertainment, and medical care” and determine large business districts, tourist attractions, tourist resorts, night culture and tourism consumption areas, cultural museums, cultural and entertainment venues, etc. List of key places and key merchants such as venues, hotels, transportation hubs, hospitals, etc. to promote the acceptance of overseas bank cards. Banks and payment institutions should accelerate the transformation of software and hardware of overseas bank card acceptance equipment according to the list of key merchants, and make overall plans to promote the development of contactless payments.
At the recent regular briefing on State Council policies held by the State Council Information Office, Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, said that currently, the acceptance coverage rate of outdoor cards in key merchants in Shanghai and Zhejiang has exceeded 90%.
Currently, many banks are accelerating the expansion of their overseas bank card acceptance environment. ICBC’s 130,000 merchant outdoor card POS machines all support foreign card consumption from the five major card organizations, and 800,000 POS machines have the function of acquiring foreign cards; as of February 26, the number of merchants accepting foreign cards by Bank of China increased by 13% compared with the beginning of the year. Nearly 30% of merchants that accept bank cards can accept foreign cards, which is the highest level in recent years.
A customer pays with an overseas bank card.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Qianqian
Point 2: Continue to optimize the cash usage environment
A survey by the People’s Bank of China shows that more than 75% of the elderly use cash regularly. At the same time, some foreigners coming to China are accustomed to paying in cash.
The opinions released this time propose to guide business entities, especially entities in the livelihood and foreign-related fields such as transportation, shopping, catering, entertainment, tourism, and accommodation, to publicly commit to collecting cash, make change preparations, meet cash use needs, and increase daily consumption. Field cash collection and payment capabilities.
“We must ensure the legal tender status of RMB cash and resolutely investigate and rectify the refusal of cash by individual merchants in accordance with the law.” Zhang Qingsong said.
The opinions also require banks to proactively launch standardized and diversified RMB cash “coin purse” products. We will continue to carry out ATM bank card acceptance improvements to support the elderly, foreigners coming to China and other groups to use domestic and overseas bank cards to withdraw RMB cash. Guide airports, ports and other port areas where foreigners are concentrated in entering China, as well as hotels with a large number of stays, to add foreign currency exchange institutions and facilities, increase the types of foreign currencies that can be exchanged, strengthen business training for foreign currency exchange service personnel, and improve the level of foreign currency exchange services. .
Point 3: Further improve the convenience of mobile payment
The opinions require that banks, payment institutions and clearing institutions should strengthen cooperation and, on the premise of controllable risks, continue to improve mobile payment services, optimize business processes, enrich product functions, expand the scope of acceptance, and give full consideration to the elderly, foreigners coming to China, etc. In order to meet the needs of the group, make arrangements for services such as aging-friendly and international services.
In order to bridge the “digital divide” for the elderly, major mobile payment apps have been upgraded to suit the elderly. By simplifying the process, enlarging fonts and images, and providing dedicated customer service lines, the mobile payment service experience of the elderly group has been improved.
In order to further facilitate the use of mobile payments by foreigners in China, the People’s Bank of China has previously proposed that it will launch targeted measures from three aspects: guiding Alipay and Tenpay to optimize business processes and improve the efficiency of binding overseas bank cards; and effectively protect personal information. While ensuring security, simplify identity verification arrangements; guide major payment institutions to increase the single transaction limit for foreigners using mobile payments from US$1,000 to US$5,000, and increase the annual cumulative transaction limit from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
In recent times, relevant departments have focused on opening up domestic and overseas payments. On the one hand, they promote “foreign card binding”. Overseas bank cards can be bound to Alipay or WeChat for consumption at domestic merchants. On the other hand, they support “outsourcing and internal use”. More and more Overseas e-wallets can be used domestically. Currently, Alipay and Tenpay have introduced 13 overseas wallets.
In addition, reporters learned from Alipay and Tenpay on the evening of the 7th that both have implemented the above-mentioned increase in transaction limits proposed by the People’s Bank of China.
Point 4: Improve account service levels
The opinions require that banks and payment institutions should further optimize the account opening service process, reasonably implement account classification and hierarchical management, keep a close eye on key areas, key outlets, and key business links, improve multi-language services, consultation and complaint and other supporting account opening services, and continuously improve account service levels. .
Data shows that as of the end of 2023, domestic financial institutions have opened approximately 22 million bank accounts for foreigners coming to China, an increase of 3.14 million from the end of 2022.
It is understood that ICBC is currently improving its account opening policies, streamlining the account opening process, and providing account opening convenience for those with short-term visas and visa exemptions; China Merchants Bank has launched “Hong Kong Agent Witness Account Opening” to help Hong Kong residents quickly open Type II and Type III personal banks in the Mainland Settlement Account.
Point 5: Better protect consumers’ payment options
The opinions require that key places such as large business districts, tourist attractions, tourist resorts, cultural museums, entertainment venues, hotels, transportation hubs, and hospitals above designated size must be equipped with the necessary software and hardware facilities to accept mobile payments, bank cards, cash, etc. Ensure consumers can independently choose payment methods and tools.
“We must strive to create a more open, inclusive and diversified payment system and payment environment, and provide convenient and safe payment services to all types of people without discrimination.” Dong Ximiao, chief researcher of the China Merchants Union, said the opinion also proposed the establishment of a supervision mechanism to monitor key areas and key areas. Banks, payment institutions, key merchants, etc. conduct overt and covert visits, supervision and guidance, which will help ensure the effective implementation of various tasks.
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