WeChat Pay HK Announces 5 Major Upgrades to E-Payment Services for 2025H1 Initiatives to Help Hong Kong SMEs Attract Tourists Enhanced WePoints Program to Boost Local Spending

WeChat Pay HK is actively expanding its diverse merchant network and payment scenarios, accelerating the city’s transition to smart living. In the first half of 2025, WeChat Pay HK successfully rolled out comprehensive upgrades across a range of essential services—including transportation, remittances, shopping, and entertainment—delivering a secure, reliable, and seamless payment experience. These enhancements further promote the widespread adoption of smart payments in Hong Kong.

Daniel Hong, Vice President of Tencent Financial Technology.

1.WeChat Pay HK Enhances Support for SMEs and Taxi Drivers with Fee Waivers and Dual-Currency Payment Solutions

WeChat Pay HK continues to support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and taxi drivers, unveiling four new initiatives aimed at boosting operational efficiency and attracting more tourist spending.

1. Streamlined Self-Service Onboarding

SMEs and taxi drivers can now apply for self-service activation of the WeChat Pay HK “Checkout” service. Taxi drivers simply need to submit their driving license, taxi driver permit, and HKID card, while SME merchants are required to provide a Business Registration Certificate (BR), Certificate of Incorporation (CI), and ID card. The streamlined application process can be completed in as little as 5 minutes, with account activation completed within 48 hours.

2. Zero Transaction Fees and Real-Time Voice Notifications

To help reduce operational costs, WeChat Pay HK offers zero transaction fees for taxi drivers. SMEs with annual transaction volumes up to HKD 500,000 will also enjoy fee waivers. Users who opt to transfer funds to their WeChat Pay HK wallet balance will receive instant payment settlements. Both taxi drivers and SMEs benefit from real-time voice notifications upon successful payment, ensuring prompt confirmation of transactions.

3. Complimentary Payment Materials Delivered Directly

WeChat Pay HK provides SMEs and taxi drivers with free operation materials, delivered directly to their doorsteps, to further enhance operational efficiency.

4. Preferential Exchange Rates to Attract Mainland Tourists

To further capture spending from mainland tourists, WeChat Pay HK has introduced preferential exchange rates for taxi drivers, with plans to extend this benefit to all SMEs using the “Checkout” service in the second half of the year. Since the beginning of the year, partnerships with Octopus, WonderTaxi, and others have enabled over 20,000 taxi drivers to accept WeChat Pay HK, resulting in nearly a fourfold increase in transactions from mainland tourists on Hong Kong taxis. The number of SMEs self-onboarding has also surged nearly eightfold year-on-year, reflecting the growing demand for digital payment solutions in the local market. WeChat Pay HK now serves over 150,000 local merchants, the majority of which are SMEs.

1. WeChat Pay HK Enhances Support for SMEs and Taxi Drivers with Fee Waivers and Dual-Currency Payment Solutions.

2.WePoints Loyalty Program Continues to Upgrade, Enhancing Consumer Rewards

The WePoints rewards program by WeChat Pay HK is committed to delivering a “spend more, earn more” experience, making everyday spending more rewarding. Users earn 1 WePoints for every HKD 1 spent when using designated payment methods (including wallet balance, bank account, Bank of China (Hong Kong) credit card, AEON credit card, and UnionPay credit card), with points redeemable for a wide range of rewards. In recent months, WePoints has partnered with several prominent local merchants to launch a series of exciting campaigns, successfully stimulating consumer spending.

Notably, a March collaboration with ParknShop featured a “Scan & Reward” and double points campaign, offering 400 points for every HKD 200 spent, up to 1,000 points, driving a 50% surge in transaction value compared to February. During the CNY period in February, a triple points campaign with Café de Coral rewarded customers with 3x points per HKD 1 spent, resulting in a 77% increase in transaction volume and an 85% jump in transaction value compared to the Christmas period earlier. In June, a new promotion offered 2,000 WePoints to users who made five purchases at Café de Coral, boosting transaction value by 40% in less than 10 days compared to the same period last month.

WeChat Pay HK will also actively support the “Hong Kong Shopping Festival” organized by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, an annual event that has attracted over 100 participating merchants and distributed shopping rewards totaling HKD 1 billion over the past years. From July to August, WeChat Pay HK will launch a dedicated “ShopFest” section within its promotions page, allowing users to easily access a variety of exclusive offers and enjoy an enhanced shopping experience.

3.Digital Wallet in Hand, Seamless Citywide Mobility with WeChat Pay HK

As the trend of cross-border traveling to Mainland continues to surge, WeChat Pay HK is rapidly expanding its “Transit QR Code”. Users can now simply scan the Transit QR Code via WeChat Pay HK to access a wide range of transportation options—including MTR, KMB, Citybus, New Lantao Bus, trams, and the Star Ferry—enabling truly seamless travel across Hong Kong with just one QR code.

Ahead of the “5.1 Golden Week” travel peak, WeChat Pay HK partnered with the Star Ferry to upgrade its system. Users can now board directly by scanning the Transit QR Code mini program, eliminating the need to queue for tickets.

Additionally, a new “Companion Code” feature launched in collaboration with the MTR allows users to generate transit codes for up to two companions, making it easier for visitors to pay for children or elderly travel companions in one go. Fares are automatically deducted from the main user’s wallet, further enhancing convenience for group travel.

The Transit QR Code feature is not limited to Hong Kong. It now covers more than 160 cities across Mainland China—including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Dongguan, and even as far as Urumqi in Xinjiang and Lhasa in Tibet. Hong Kong users can scan and pay in Hong Kong dollars to ride local subways or buses, delivering a seamless cross-border travel experience.

Digital Wallet in Hand, Seamless Citywide Mobility with WeChat Pay HK .

WeChat Pay HK continues to broaden its collaboration with both local and Mainland platforms. Its coupon bundle with Meituan has increased in value from HKD 108 to HKD 150, effectively boosting new user conversion rates. In the high-speed rail sector, recent surveys show that 65% of Hong Kong residents have traveled to the Mainland by high-speed rail, with nearly 90% expressing intentions to do so again—citing shorter travel times (51%), cost savings (32%), and comfortable, flexible carriages (31%) as key reasons. From West Kowloon Station, passengers can reach popular destinations such as Chaoshan, Guilin, Xiamen, and Changsha in just a few hours. In response, WeChat Pay HK partnered with HopeGoo during the Dragon Boat Festival to launch an exclusive “Spend HKD 30, Get HKD 29 Off” high-speed rail promotion, resulting in a fivefold increase in transaction volume on the first day—demonstrating strong user acceptance of the integration between high-speed rail travel and digital payments.

WeChat Pay HK now supports Hong Kong residents making purchases from small and micro merchants in every Mainland city, with payments settled in Hong Kong dollars. Whether hailing a taxi in Shenzhen, enjoying personalized poetry in Hangzhou, or shopping for Miao silver jewelry in Changsha, travelers can pay effortlessly in their home currency.

According to Weixin’s May Day Holiday data report, popular destinations for Hong Kong travelers have expanded beyond Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the Greater Bay Area to include Tianjin, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xiamen, Chongqing, and Changsha, even reaching as far as Qiqihar in Heilongjiang and Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia. Hong Kong travelers increasingly prefer ride-hailing, taxis, and activating public transport transit codes. On May 1 alone, transit QR code transaction values in Shenzhen, Changsha, Chongqing, and Chengdu doubled compared to the previous period, underscoring the deep integration of digital payments into the daily travel habits of Hong Kong residents.

4.We Remit Expands Remittance Network and Lowers Fees for the Philippines and Indonesia

WeChat Pay HK’s cross-border remittance service, We Remit, has undergone a major upgrade this year. In addition to supporting remittances from Hong Kong to Mainland, the Philippines, and Indonesia, We Remit has added 9 new receiving destinations: the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. Users can now transfer Hong Kong dollars directly to local bank accounts in these regions—whether sending funds to overseas family and friends, supporting students studying abroad, or transferring money for travel and living expenses. The service operates 24/7, with transactions completed in as little as a few minutes. Compared to traditional cross-border remittance services, We Remit offers a more streamlined, secure, and reliable experience.

WeChat Pay HK continues to enhance its cross-border financial services, with a special focus on the community of foreign domestic helpers working in Hong Kong. Effective May 31, remittance fees for the Philippines and Indonesia have been reduced, making it easier and safer for domestic workers to send their earnings home. The overall remittance fee has been cut by up to 25%: fees for the Philippines have been reduced from HKD 20 to HKD 15, and for Indonesia from HKD 16 to HKD 12, easing the financial burden on users.

To encourage more domestic helpers to experience the convenience of digital remittance, WeChat Pay HK has also launched a welcome offer for new users. First-time users accessing the remittance page will receive a coupon: HKD 15 for remittances to the Philippines and HKD 12 for Indonesia, further lowering the cost of their first transfer.

Recognizing that some users prefer to accumulate several months’ salary before making a transfer, WeChat Pay HK has adjusted the monthly remittance limit from Hong Kong to the Philippines and Indonesia to HKD 10,000, providing greater flexibility for users’ remittance needs. The monthly limit for transfers to Mainland remains at HKD 200,000.

5.Surge in Weixin Mini Program Transactions Empowers Local Merchants to Tap into the Digital Economy

WeChat Pay HK continues to drive the adoption of Weixin Mini Programs in Hong Kong, supporting merchants in expanding their digital channels. According to the latest data, the number of Mini Program transactions in Hong Kong doubled in May 2025 compared to May 2024, while daily active accounts increased by 50%. These figures reflect the growing maturity of user engagement with Mini Programs.

To help local merchants reach emerging customer segments such as Gangpiao / new Hong Kong residents, WeChat Pay HK is actively encouraging merchants to launch their own Mini Programs. For example, Trans-Island Chinalink provides cross-border bus ticket booking services, while Café de Coral offers points rewards to enhance customer experience. In the second half of the year, even more merchants from various sectors will join the Weixin Mini Program platform, bringing Hong Kong users an increasingly convenient and comprehensive suite of digital services.

CHP reminds public to take precautions against cold weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 3) reminded the public, particularly the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants and children, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

Elderly and people with chronic illnesses

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A spokesman for the CHP said that in general, elderly people have less insulating fat, and their body temperature control mechanisms would be weaker. Their body may not respond appropriately to the cold weather. In addition, some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat.

Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes or hypothyroidism, would lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Besides, persons with chronic illnesses, such as chronic respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

The spokesman reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:

Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks, accordingly;

Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;

Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;

Stay in a warm environment. Avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower, and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;

Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation;

Avoid alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead; and

Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

Infants, children and pregnant women

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Infants and young children are more susceptible to heat loss during the cold weather. The spokesman reminded parents that they should ensure babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them. When children engage in outdoor activities, their clothing should be adjusted accordingly, and changed quickly if soaked. Infants, young children and pregnant women should also try to avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower.

Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:

Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;

Always place babies on their backs to sleep. Leave their heads, faces and arms uncovered during sleep;

Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;

Let babies sleep in a cot placed near their parents' bed; and

Maintain a smoke-free environment.

Outdoor workers

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Outdoor workers should take heed of the weather report and wear appropriate warm clothing for work. Clothing should be changed as soon as possible if soaked. When the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions. They should take a break immediately and seek help and medical attention if feeling unwell.

General public

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In addition, many respiratory pathogens, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, may have increasing activity and community transmission during winter. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccinations early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on theCHP'swebsite.

A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may become more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:

Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;

Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;

Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;

When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;

Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and

Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hotpot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:

Wash hands before handling and consuming food;

Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;

Wash and cook all food thoroughly;

Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from surfaces and crevices;

Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;

For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;

Do not eat any undercooked freshwater aquatic products. To ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked, the centre of the food should reach a temperature of at least 75 degrees Celsius so as to destroy pathogens;

Most hotpot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;

Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hotpot; and

Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

Fo more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit theCHP's websiteandFacebook Fanpageas well as press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against cold weather for outdoor workers and their employers when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit thewebsite of the Hong Kong Observatoryfor the latest weather information and forecasts, or itspage on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.

Source: AI-found images