Cross-Border QR Payment Pilot Launch Between China and Indonesia

UnionPay Launches Cross-Border QR Payment Pilot with Indonesia

On September 11, 2025, UnionPay International (UPI) unveiled the pilot project for cross-border QR payments, connecting China and Indonesia under the supervision of both nations' central banks. This initiative marks a significant milestone in enhancing financial transactions across borders.

Launch Ceremony Highlights

During a ceremonial event in Beijing, UPI demonstrated the pilot transaction utilizing an Indonesian mobile payment application. In Jakarta, selected users successfully completed transactions by scanning QRIS—a unified QR code system in Indonesia—using UnionPay and Alipay apps. Throughout this trial phase, chosen users from mainland China can execute QR payments via these two Chinese mobile payment platforms at over 40 million merchants equipped with the QRIS technology in Indonesia. Concurrently, pilot merchants within the UnionPay and Alipay networks in China are capable of accepting QR payments from 22 prominent Indonesian mobile payment applications.

Pilot Phase Details

It's noteworthy to mention that this trial phase is currently restricted to a select group of participants and merchants. The full operational phase for cross-border QR payments is anticipated to roll out by the end of 2025 upon the successful conclusion of the pilot period. This project operates under a model of government collaboration and aims at facilitating a more seamless mobile payment experience for residents in both countries, while concurrently expanding merchant customer bases.

Collaborative Framework

The groundwork for this vital cross-border payment project was laid in January 2025, when UPI signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), Ant International, and a branch of the Bank of China located in Jakarta. Following this, separate agreements to expedite implementation were established with four Indonesian payment networks: Rintis, ALTO, Artajasa, and Jalin, as well as with Ant International and Alipay.

Future Prospects

According to the arrangement between the central banks involved, transactions will be settled in the respective local currencies. This strategic framework not only aims to enhance the user experience of cross-border mobile payments but also seeks to support merchants in growing their clientele. Furthermore, this initiative serves as a crucial step in UnionPay's endeavor to introduce a new quadruple model in collaboration with industry partners, fostering mutually beneficial relationships within the sector.

To date, UnionPay has either achieved or is striving for the implementation of cross-border QR payment systems with payment networks in 19 countries and regions outside mainland China. Looking ahead, UnionPay is committed to expanding cross-border payment connectivity further, paving the way for even greater financial interactions between nations.

In summary, the launch of this pilot project highlights a significant advancement in the realm of digital payments, reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in facilitating commerce and enhancing user experiences across diverse markets.