[Photo/VCG]

In an effort to optimize payment services for foreigners in Shanghai, the municipal government has issued an action plan recently to enhance payment convenience.

According to the action plan, the city vows to:

- Optimize Bank Card Acceptance

  1.Identify key areas such as commercial districts, dining establishments, supermarkets, exhibition venues, pharmacies, and public utility payment centers for comprehensive coverage of both domestic and foreign bank card acceptance.

  2.Ensure display of bank card acceptance signage at these locations.

- Enhance Cash Services

  1.Upgrade cash self-service machines to allow withdrawals by foreign bank cards, with a target of 98 percent coverage across the city.

  2.Guide businesses in the retail, dining, tourism, and transportation sectors to provide small-denomination cash services.

- Improve Mobile Payment Convenience

  1.Optimize the operation process, payment limits, and senario management for binding foreign cards with domestic mobile payment products to meet the needs of foreigners.

  2.Encourage innovation in mobile payment products and services tailored to the payment habits of foreigners.

- Elevate Bank Account Services

  1.Implement account management based on classification and levels, offering streamlined account opening processes.

  2.Provide green channels and multilingual services for foreigners.

- Strengthen the Integration of Foreign-related Services

1.Establish comprehensive service centers at international airports to provide one-stop services for foreigners, including payment, telecommunications, tourism, and transportation services.

2.Increase the number of foreign currency exchange counters and self-service currency exchange machines in star-rated hotels, providing services such as purchasing transportation cards and exchanging small cash for foreigners visiting China.

Source: shanghai.gov.cn