#China #Shanghai #UnionPay #QR Code Payments #Cross-border Gateway

UnionPay International Advances Global Payment Solutions

On September 16, 2025, UnionPay International unveiled the initiation of the trial operation for China's Cross-border Interconnection Gateway (CPG), a pivotal development for global interoperability in the payment system. This announcement followed an extensive six-month effort to construct the core components of the CPG, aimed at simplifying cross-border transactions both in and out of mainland China.

The Cross-border Interconnection Gateway serves as an essential tool for institutions globally, allowing for cross-border QR code payment interoperability. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the CPG provides a single-point access system, enabling international players to easily connect and utilize its services. By offering features such as unified technical interfaces, systematic transaction monitoring, and real-time data processing, the CPG is anticipated to significantly improve the experience for users engaging in international transactions.

One of the key advantages of this new gateway is the significant reduction in system integration costs for participating institutions. By utilizing UnionPay's standardized interfaces, financial organizations in mainland China can seamlessly integrate directly into the system. On the international front, partners can access the CPG via UnionPay International, facilitating streamlined cross-border transactions.

The CPG promises to improve the efficiency and convenience of payment systems in various global markets. For instance, it not only enables direct QR code payments between China and other countries but also supports local QR code transactions in international markets, enhancing flexibility and reach.

Among the features that make CPG attractive are its potential to unify payment standards across multiple platforms. This ensures that overseas wallet providers can operate more effectively within China's digital payment ecosystem, promoting fair competition. Additionally, the gateway allows greater acceptance for overseas wallets in mainland China, providing users with more options for conducting transactions.

The CPG also implements a unified information interface, ensuring consistency in handling both inbound and outbound transactions. Through this centralized approach, participating institutions can deliver more secure and reliable services to their users

UnionPay's collaborative efforts with overseas wallet operators aim to maximize value by enhancing user engagement. By incorporating mobile payment capabilities into various applications, the CPG not only adapts to current trends but also prepares for future expansions in the payment industry.

In the mainland, UnionPay has actively promoted user-friendly projects designed to elevate payment services for international visitors. Recent data indicates substantial growth, with transactions made by UnionPay cards from overseas increasing by 111% in transaction numbers and 29% in total value year-on-year.

Globally, UnionPay has engaged in parallel Government-to-Government (G2G) and Network-to-Network (N2N) partnership models to promote QR code interoperability. So far, 19 international projects have launched in collaboration with various countries, significantly increasing the number of overseas merchants accepting UnionPay QR code payments to over 11 million.

As the CPG rapidly gains traction—including a record of nearly 2 million transactions worth RMB 427 million by early September—the infrastructure enhancements contributed by UnionPay are positioned to facilitate international travel and trade. By potentially maximizing inbound consumption growth as China implements more accessible visa policies, the CPG could become a cornerstone of global payment interoperability, streamlining both business processes and personal transactions across borders.

In summary, UnionPay International's Cross-border Interconnection Gateway represents a significant leap towards more integrated global payment systems. Through its comprehensive services and a user-centric approach, UnionPay aims to foster a more seamless and secure payment environment, reinforcing its role as a leader in driving international payment interoperability.