SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 – On September 24, UnionPay officially released the "Qianhai Smart Payment Service Support Plan for the 2026 APEC 'China Year'," aimed at facilitating payments for global visitors to Shenzhen.
UnionPay has developed a comprehensive product matrix encompassing bank cards, QR code payments, and mobile Pay (mobile contactless solutions). Leveraging its core solutions, UnionPay is breaking down barriers to inbound payments by enabling the direct use of international UnionPay cards and partner wallets in China's mainland and by allowing international UnionPay cards to be added to China-based wallets. Inbound visitors can swipe international UnionPay cards directly, or add them to mobile Pay services such as Apple Pay for tap-and-go payments. In terms of QR code payments, over 200 overseas partner wallets from more than 37 countries and regions can read and process UnionPay QR codes in China's mainland. Alternatively, cardholders can also link their UnionPay cards to mobile apps such as the Nihao China App, Alipay, and WeChat Pay for QR code payments. Notably, in addition to international UnionPay cards, the Nihao China App supports top-up to the in-app Tour Wallet from bank cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, JCB and Diners Club.
Addressing pain points such as language barriers for foreign nationals, UnionPay has worked with partners to launch the AI-powered smart large-screen POS terminal and the P18 smart multilingual POS terminal, which support voice-based interaction and real-time translation in 14 languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, and French. These terminals have integrated functions such as international card acceptance and departure tax refund guidance, enabling visitors to complete the entire process without human assistance. Additionally, UnionPay will soon launch smart glasses integrated with the Nihao China App, allowing international visitors to enjoy smart payments.
UnionPay continues to enhance its acceptance environment. It has brought payment acceptance quality in key commercial districts—such as Uniway, Chow Tai Fook, K11, and Sea World—up to the standards of "Shenzhen Seamless Payment Commercial Districts". UnionPay has also established a regular mechanism for payment service specialists, and provides training on the use of Nihao China App as well as international cards and wallets. It has also built the "Nihao Shenzhen" AI-powered Smart Payment Service Zone at Uniway, integrating multilingual terminals, international card acceptance, departure tax refund, and inbound payment guidance. A total of 38 key merchants have completed acceptance upgrades for international cards and wallets, enhancing the convenience and success rate of multiple payment methods, including cards, QR codes, and mobile Pay for international visitors.
In addition to providing a comprehensive product matrix and strengthening the acceptance environment, UnionPay is also launching a promotional campaign in Qianhai, offering a 30% discount at all the participating merchants with savings of up to RMB 600 per transaction. International visitors can easily participate in the promotion using their bank cards or mobile Pay products, or by making QR payments.
Hashtag: #UnionPay
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Banyan Group Residences records 900 per cent year-on-year rise in luxury sales value, underlining the widening gap between prime and mass-market residences
PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 – Phuket's residential property market is becoming increasingly polarised. Genuinely differentiated luxury residences continue to attract strong demand, while lower-priced, investment-led segments are showing signs of saturation and, in some areas, oversupply. Banyan Group Residences, whose luxury sales value in Phuket rose 900 per cent year-on-year to nearly US$50 million, illustrates the resilience of well-located, high-quality residences even as conditions become tougher elsewhere in the market.
Phuket's residential market splits in two as luxury demand builds while lower-tier supply outpaces demand
The divide is becoming more pronounced. There is a clear distinction between genuinely differentiated luxury residences and more commoditised products built for short-term speculation. Premium buyers continue to commit capital to prime locations, trusted brands and long-term lifestyle value, while a wave of new, commoditised supply aimed largely at short-term investment has outpaced demand at the lower end, intensifying competition and, in some cases, leaving units unsold.
Among Banyan Group Residences' results, sales of the exclusive luxurious Banyan Tree Beach Residences projects Oceanus, Varuna, Aegir and Nammu have recorded an increase in sales of 900 percent year-on-year including what is believed to be the most expensive condominium transaction recorded in Phuket to date.
Bangtao and the wider Laguna Phuket area have emerged as the island's most sought-after residential locations, combining west-coast beaches with an established international community and a growing concentration of restaurants, schools, wellness and lifestyle amenities - characteristics of a mature international market rather than an emerging one.
Continued interest from high-net-worth buyers seeking to diversify wealth into tangible, personally enjoyable assets amid currency depreciation, inflation and market volatility is also supporting demand at the top of the market. Today's luxury buyer is acquiring a home that supports their family's lifestyle and serves as a long-term store of value - not a speculative purchase based on short-term rental projections, the kind of buying that has fuelled much of the oversupply at the lower end.
Thailand's political stability, established tourism economy and relative distance from regional conflicts continue to support demand from buyers across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond, though unevenly across price tiers.
As supply increases across the wider market, buyers are expected to place greater emphasis on developers' track record, construction quality, professional management and reputable services. The market is not weakening uniformly - it is becoming more polarised, with well-positioned luxury developments continuing to perform strongly while oversupplied, lower-tier projects face a longer period of adjustment, encouraging higher standards, greater transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable development across the industry.
Banyan Group Residences will continue to focus on prime locations, distinctive high-quality design and the creation of residential communities that deliver lasting value for owners.
Hashtag: #BanyanGroupResidences
https://www.banyangroupresidences.com/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Banyan Group Residences
Banyan Group Residences forms part of Banyan Group, one of the world's leading independent hospitality groups. Its residential portfolio is supported by the group's experience developing and operating hotels, resorts, residences, spas and integrated destinations worldwide. At Laguna Phuket, residents benefit from access to one of Asia's most established integrated resort communities, comprising hotels, restaurants, spas, an 18-hole golf course, wellness and leisure facilities, retail services and extensive beachfront surroundings.
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