As a popular first stop for overseas visitors to China, Shanghai is enhancing the consumer experience for tourists using foreign bank cards with its evolving digital payment systems.
Official data from the municipal government showed that, since late 2023, Shanghai has opened more than 37,000 foreign card point-of-sale (POS) terminals throughout the city.
International visitors who are short on time to withdraw cash or unfamiliar with China's digital payment systems have welcomed the expansion.
"We normally do the payment by cash only, but in case if you needed to do with credit card, we can do that," said an international visitor.
"Normal credit card, no problem. I think it is improving, yes." said another visitor.
A bank officer said that the acceptance of foreign cards will be further extended to small-denomination payment scenes in the metropolis.
"We have installed POS machines accepting foreign bank cards in 12 commerce sites and those major tourist attractions and hotels in the city. And we will continue to promote the coverage of those machines. Also, we will ensure major merchants in the city have enough small bills and increase the number of small bill withdrawal or exchange outlets in the city. There will be more small denominations available in the market," said Mao Jiansong, senior deputy manager of Operation and Channel Management Department under Bank of Communications' Shanghai Branch.
Some Shanghai taxis now accept foreign bank cards for fare payment, making the city a pioneer on the Chinese mainland for this convenient option. All these taxis will also provide a travel guide printed in English and Japanese, helping those who do not understand Chinese to communicate with drivers.
For visitors seeking a convenient all-in-one payment solution, the city has introduced the 'Shanghai Pass'. With a maximum balance of 1,000 yuan, this one-stop tourism pass can be used for public transportation and across tourism venues and shopping malls.
It requires no registration and any remaining balance can be refunded upon departure at designated locations throughout the city."
According to Sun Yao, general manager of Shanghai City Tour Card Development Co., the Shanghai Pass is designed to make small payments easier.
"It is designed to make small payments easier. After topping the card, you can pay for things without getting charged from stores. And there are QR codes on the front and back of the card. Cardholders can scan the codes to learn more about how to use it, as well as getting other useful information from the Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism," said Sun.
According to the Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai received 1.27 million tourists in the first quarter of this year, up 250 percent year-on-year, and is expected to receive about 5 million inbound tourists for the whole year.
Shanghai expands foreign card acceptance to enhance tourist experience
Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) to continue fulfilling its mandate, advancing the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, and providing vital assistance to Colombia in achieving peace and development.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement when speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Colombian situation at the UN headquarter.
UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia and head of the UNVMC Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that Colombia had achieved some milestones as it celebrated the eighth anniversary of a landmark peace deal. However, violent incidents earlier this year resulted in dozens of deaths. He emphasized the need for Colombia to strengthen the government's presence in remote areas, as the peace agreement remains central to achieving lasting peace in the country. He called on the international community to continue its unwavering support for this process.
Geng expressed hope that in the new year, all parties in Colombia will remain steadfast, united, and committed to writing new chapters of peace, reconciliation, and progress. Geng put forward three key expectations: achieving new progress in improving the security situation, advancing dialogue and reconciliation, and making new achievements in implementing the peace agreement.
"We support the Colombian government's efforts to increase security deployment to effectively deter violent activities, stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, ensure the safety of people's lives, alleviate the local humanitarian crisis, and strengthen protection for former armed personnel, ethnic groups and vulnerable groups such as women and children," said Geng.
Geng noted that the current peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have encountered setbacks. China hopes that both sides will resolve their differences through dialogue and resume negotiations at an early date, and expects that the Colombian government's peace talks with other armed groups will remain unaffected, he said.
China commends the Colombian government, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, for prioritizing the implementation of the peace agreement in its governance agenda and for its efforts in areas such as rural reform and the reintegration of former armed personnel into society, Geng said.
China also calls on UN agencies, as well as international and regional partners, to continue supporting Colombia in consolidating the achievements of the peace process, he said.
Recently, armed clashes have continued between Colombia's main anti-government armed group, the ELN, and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, northern Colombia.
According to data from the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, the conflict has displaced 36,000 people. Petro on Monday declared a state of internal commotion.
FARC, once Colombia's largest anti-government armed group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, disarmed the following year, and transitioned into a political party.
However, some FARC members refused to disarm and formed splinter groups. The ELN primarily engages in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along Colombia's Pacific coast and border regions. On Friday, the Colombian government announced the suspension of peace talks with the ELN once again.
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
