The Chinese yuan cross-border payment system currently covers 192 other countries and regions around the world, according to an official from China's central bank on Thursday.
Addressing the 15th China Payment and Clearing Forum in Beijing, Lu Lei, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said that as of the end of June 2026, the Chinese yuan cross-border payment system had 210 direct participants and 1,619 indirect participants. Transactions can be processed through more than 5,200 banking institutions, covering 192 other countries and regions, and the system's capacity to serve global Chinese yuan cross-border settlement continues to strengthen.
Effective October 17, 2026, the service hours of China's large-value payment system will be extended from the current "5×21+12 hours" to "5×22.5+13.5 hours", thereby improving global payment network interoperability at the technical level, he said.
At the same time, China will continue to advance the interoperability of quick response (QR) codes for cross-border payments.
"We will continue to expand the number of accessible wallets and the coverage of the acceptance network, optimize the acceptance environment for overseas wallets, and steadily enrich the payment facilitation scenarios for overseas visitors coming to China to meet diversified payment needs. We will also steadily promote interconnectivity and mutual access of the domestic barcode payment systems and wider opening of the domestic barcode payment acceptance network in an orderly way and on an equal footing," said Ren Deqi, president of the Payment and Clearing Association of China, at the forum.
Chinese yuan cross-border payment system covers 192 other nations, regions: central bank
Sustainable development remains a shared priority for all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as Kyrgyzstan's presidency carries forward the theme set by China last year, SCO Secretary‑General Nurlan Yermekbayev has said.
In an interview with China Global Television Network ahead of the upcoming SCO summit 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Yermekbayev said that during China's 2025 rotating presidency, "sustainable development" was chosen as the theme, a focus that has continued into this year.
"When China was the rotating chair, it made 'sustainable development' the theme of its presidency. Since assuming the SCO's rotating presidency in September last year, Kyrgyzstan has adopted the theme '25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.' I personally find this slogan very appealing, and it is profoundly meaningful," Yermekbayev said.
"On the one hand, it reflects the 25‑year development journey of the SCO. On the other, every word carries significant meaning. 'Together' means we cooperate closely to tackle various challenges. 'Together Towards Sustainable' continues last year's theme of sustainable development. And peace, development and prosperity are the core goals that the SCO has always pursued," he said.
Founded in 2001 to address regional security concerns, the SCO has evolved into a broad-based organization covering security, economic cooperation, connectivity, digital development and cultural exchanges. Its 25th founding anniversary this year comes at a time when countries across the world are facing growing uncertainties, making regional cooperation and stability increasingly important.
For many observers, the SCO's biggest achievement over the past 25 years is not simply its expansion in size, but its demonstration that countries with different political systems, economic models and cultural traditions can find common ground through dialogue and cooperation.
Experts said the upcoming Bishkek summit will provide a new opportunity for member states to strengthen consensus, align development strategies and explore fresh areas of cooperation, helping bring more stability and certainty to the region and beyond.
Against this backdrop, Yermekbayev emphasized the importance of sustainable development for the SCO's next phase.
"During Kyrgyzstan's presidency, 'sustainable development' remains a key priority for all member states, because it is a broad issue that touches on many different areas," he said.
Sustainable development remains SCO priority under Kyrgyzstan presidency: secretary‑general
