Starting Saturday, foreign tourists can use major international bank cards they hold to pass through subway gates at all stations of the Shanghai Metro with a simple tap without bothering to queue at ticket machines or counters.
The newly enabled payment method allows passengers to use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay cards as well as China's digital currency "hard wallet" (cards, wearables, etc.) to enter the metro system, which further facilitates travel for inbound passengers arriving in Shanghai as it improves the convenience of payment in the metro system.
At the Yuyuan Station, one of Shanghai's busiest tourist hubs, foreign travelers were seen swiping their cards to board the subway trains.
The new payment alternative marks a major improvement over previous methods, as it can save time and reduce language barriers for these travelers. In the past, international travelers had to pay cash for tickets or queue at manned counters to buy tickets with their foreign cards via point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
"It's very good, because, for us, that is coming from Europe, and like this, we use a lot of visas. So it's immediate. And otherwise we have difficulties to find the tickets and so on. So, very good," said Daniel, an Italian business traveler.
The expansion of the payment system involves upgrading the software compatibility of existing gate hardware while also developing ticketing data systems.
"The payment system upgrading this time requires integration of multiple card networks. To ensure that all cards from different networks can work seamlessly on a same device requires significant integrated development and coordination," said Peng Cheng, assistant general manager of China UnionPay Shanghai Branch.
Global tourists can swipe bank cards to ride all metro lines in Shanghai
Serbia's Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic hailed the surge in exports to China following the launch of a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) in recent years, calling the pact a strategic relationship of mutual vision and voicing optimism for deeper bilateral cooperation.
The FTA between China and Serbia, signed in October 2023 and implemented on July 1, 2024, eliminates tariffs on roughly 90 percent of bilateral trade. More than 60 percent of goods became duty-free immediately upon its entry into force, marking a decisive step in deepening economic ties.
He said the agreement has reshaped Serbia’s trade profile, fueling a 69-percent jump in agricultural exports while accelerating imports of Chinese technologies and farm mechanization.
"The relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia, I would describe as a long-term, strategic relationship of mutual political and clear economic vision.The Free Trade Agreement between our countries was signed in 2023. It was introduced in 2024. As a result, our trade exchange has greatly improved, especially in the field of agriculture. We can say from that moment our exports to China grew for 69 percent. We have also made easier the import of certain things, such as mechanization and digital technologies, from the People's Republic of China to Serbia," said Glamocic.
"Our traditional products, such as wine, our domestic brandy, our honey, dried plums, frozen raspberries, similarly, imports of modern technologies from China are increasing, mechanization also, which really improves our agriculture business in Serbia. So I am an optimist that it will get better and better every day," he added.
The minister spoke highly of Serbia's partnership with China and voiced hope for broader cooperation in the future.
"What I would expect from China is that we sometimes try to speed up these procedures as much as possible. It is especially an honor for us when such a small country has such a status in the People's Republic of China. We were the first country to sign this type of strategic document in Europe, and we have reached the highest possible level among the two countries," he said.
Serbian agriculture minister reports record export growth to China
