Shenzhen Accelerates Creation of Full-Payment Demonstration Zone for Seamless Card, Code, Coin & Wallet Transactions

– Shenzhen is establishing a comprehensive payment demonstration zone to integrate cards, QR codes, currencies, and digital wallets
– Infrastructure upgrades at airports/ports include 24-hour foreigner service centers and expanded currency exchange capabilities
– Instant tax refunds and transportation innovations simplify transactions for international visitors
– Cross-border payment links with Hong Kong facilitate remittances via mobile banking apps
– Digital RMB wallets now interoperate with mainstream foreign cards and Hong Kong’s Octopus system

At Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, foreign traveler Mark efficiently completed mobile payment setup at a multilingual service center showcasing China’s payment evolution. As a pioneering SEZ celebrating 45 years of global commerce this year, Shenzhen is transforming into a seamless transaction ecosystem through systematic payment modernization. This massive undertaking integrates physical/digital infrastructure across ‘card, QR code, currency, and wallet’ channels – creating Asia’s most advanced payment demonstration zone serving international tourists and business visitors.

Comprehensive Payment Infrastructure Modernization

Transport hubs form Shenzhen’s strategic frontline for payment modernization. Foreign passengers arriving at Bao’an Airport discover:
– Six currency exchange points
– Eight ATM machines accepting international cards
– Three digital RMB hardware wallet terminals
– English/Japanese/Korean payment guides

Foreign-Focused Service Centers

Five 24-hour multilingual centers integrate key services:
1. Payment system onboarding (Alipay/WeChat Pay)
2. Tourist SIM cards
3. Transit card setup
4. Currency exchange
Over 10,000 consultations demonstrate surging international demand.

Market-Setting Payment Models

Shenzhen pioneered two breakthrough transaction frameworks:

External Package Internal Use:
Allows tourists to reload Chinese e-wallets using foreign payment methods

External Card Internal Binding:
Enables international cards to directly fund Chinese platforms

These innovations now cover:
– 42,000+ foreign-card merchants
– 1,646 bank branches with currency exchange
– 4,030 ATM machines accepting foreign cards
Transaction volumes surged 150% during H1 2025.

Omnichannel Payment Ecosystem Development

Shenzhen achieves frictionless payments across tourism, retail, and transportation:

Revolutionizing Tourist Refunds

At Yantian District’s shopping outlets, tourists experience ‘buy-and-refund’ convenience:
✓ On-the-spot VAT refunds (9% savings)
✓ Eliminated airport queueing
500+ customers utilize daily payment at flagship locations.

Transportation Payment Integration

Smart Change SolutionsBreakthroughs in Cross-Border Payment Integration

Deepening Hong Kong-Shenzhen financial integration:

Cross-Border Payment Link

Launched June 2025, this simplified remittance platform enables:
– Mobile-to-mobile transfers
– Phone number/flexible ID payment
– RMB/HKD currency selection
Hong Kong Monetary Authority collaboration expanded transaction access.

WeChat Hong Kong Wallet Expansion

Shenzhen’s Payment Modernization Vision

As foreign arrivals increase 38% year-over-year, Shenzhen payment systems demonstrate how financial technology enables:
✓ International business integration
✓ Tourism competitiveness
✓ Global city standards
Future phases focus on:
– Biometric payment integration
– Blockchain settlement corridors
– AI transaction security
The city invites foreign enterprises to integrate with its open API framework – transforming China’s payment landscape demonstrates tangible internationalization milestones through transaction convenience.