TOPIC

/ company

WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay, a prominent mobile payment and digital wallet service, operates within the technology and financial services sectors. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, it is a core component of Tencent’s WeChat "super app" ecosystem. WeChat Pay offers diverse services, including QR code, in-app, and peer-to-peer payments, primarily targeting Chinese consumers globally and businesses seeking to engage them. With over 1.3 billion active users, it holds a significant market position in China’s mobile payment landscape, often alongside Alipay. Its global expansion spans over 60 countries, facilitating cross-border transactions and aiming to provide a comprehensive digital lifestyle.

The People’s Bank of China added eight lenders to the e-CNY network. Photo: Reuters

Yuan

China expands digital yuan network with 8 new banks to accelerate adoption

China launched the digital yuan in 2019, but retail adoption has been slow as Chinese consumers are accustomed to using Alipay and WeChat Pay.

17 Aug 2026 - 8:02PM

Hong Kong society

What smokers need to know about Hong Kong’s new e-cigarette ban

25 Apr 2026 - 7:15PM

Hong Kong transport

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

3 Apr 2026 - 11:04AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to impose 2‑tier penalty for carrying vapes in public from April 30

People carrying small number of e-cigarettes face HK$3,000 penalty, those with larger quantities risk maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:36PM

Officers will conduct enforcement in plain clothes against the use of e-cigarettes in public. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong transport

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

31 Mar 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry

Representative says industry ready for April 1 requirement, with about 90 per cent of taxi drivers already registered with e-payment platforms.

10 Mar 2026 - 3:52PM

Hong Kong transport

‘Keep the change’ no more: Hong Kong taxi drivers prepare for shift to e-payments

City’s cabbies required to provide at least two e-payment options by April 1, as part of industry effort to improve service quality.

8 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

Starting from April 1, 2026, all taxis must provide passengers with at least two electronic payment methods. Photo: Sam Tsang

Tencent

Uber’s WeChat tie-up pays off as demand from Chinese tourists rises overseas

Uber will offer a discount of at least 40 per cent during Lunar New Year for new mainland users who join via its WeChat mini-program.

16 Jan 2026 - 3:45PM

Artificial intelligence

Alipay and Rokid open up AI payment function on smart glasses to developers

The function has been made available to participants in the Rokid Spatial Joy 25 Global AR and AI Developer Competition.

15 Dec 2025 - 11:49AM

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Mainland bank apps beat those in Hong Kong and Singapore, study says

Strong competition from non-bank players in mainland market forces banks to improve continuously, consulting firm Sia says.

7 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

No banking apps in Asia cracked the global top 10 in the eighth edition of Sia’s study. Photo: Shutterstock

China consumption

China sees uptick in ‘super golden week’ spending amid record travel surge

China’s transport hubs handled a record 2.4 billion trips during the extended holiday, though consumers favoured value-for-money deals.

9 Oct 2025 - 4:05PM

China recorded a record surge in travel during the just-concluded “golden week” holiday, with the country’s transport hubs handling more than 2.4 billion passenger trips. Photo: AFP

Apple

Apple eyes Douyin Pay for China App Store while speculation swirls on new iPhone

The potential addition of Douyin Pay to Apple’s China App Store reflects the continued growth of mobile payment services in the country.

13 Aug 2025 - 9:00PM

Banking & finance

Opinion | Hong Kong can lead charge for yuan alternative to US stablecoin

As legislation and dollar stablecoin dominance give US a new lever of financial statecraft, with its new law, Hong Kong can develop a credible alternative.

5 Aug 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong cabbies call for subsidies and grace period to meet new regulations

All cabbies will also be required to install journey recorders, which will be connected to Transport Department’s information system, by early 2027.

17 Jul 2025 - 8:43PM

All Hong Kong taxi drivers will be required to provide at least two e-payment methods: one that uses QR codes and another that does not rely on them. Photo: Eugene Lee

China economy

Opinion | Labubu’s rise reflects hitmaker ability of China’s digital ecosystem

An ecosystem that combines e-commerce with social media, it turns users into marketers, breeds viral hits – and projects cultural power.

2 Jul 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during a press tour to Pop Land, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, on June 2. Photo: EPA-EFE

Banking & finance

China’s stablecoin edge? WeChat and Alipay, says top economist

As calls grow for Beijing to embrace digital currencies, e-payment giants seen as aiding yuan’s global push.

28 Jun 2025 - 2:00PM

WeChat Pay

China expands digital yuan network with 8 new banks to accelerate adoption

China launched the digital yuan in 2019, but retail adoption has been slow as Chinese consumers are accustomed to using Alipay and WeChat Pay.

What smokers need to know about Hong Kong’s new e-cigarette ban

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Hong Kong to impose 2‑tier penalty for carrying vapes in public from April 30

People carrying small number of e-cigarettes face HK$3,000 penalty, those with larger quantities risk maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail.

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry

Representative says industry ready for April 1 requirement, with about 90 per cent of taxi drivers already registered with e-payment platforms.

‘Keep the change’ no more: Hong Kong taxi drivers prepare for shift to e-payments

City’s cabbies required to provide at least two e-payment options by April 1, as part of industry effort to improve service quality.

Uber’s WeChat tie-up pays off as demand from Chinese tourists rises overseas

Uber will offer a discount of at least 40 per cent during Lunar New Year for new mainland users who join via its WeChat mini-program.

Alipay and Rokid open up AI payment function on smart glasses to developers

The function has been made available to participants in the Rokid Spatial Joy 25 Global AR and AI Developer Competition.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Mainland bank apps beat those in Hong Kong and Singapore, study says

Strong competition from non-bank players in mainland market forces banks to improve continuously, consulting firm Sia says.

China sees uptick in ‘super golden week’ spending amid record travel surge

China’s transport hubs handled a record 2.4 billion trips during the extended holiday, though consumers favoured value-for-money deals.

Apple eyes Douyin Pay for China App Store while speculation swirls on new iPhone

The potential addition of Douyin Pay to Apple’s China App Store reflects the continued growth of mobile payment services in the country.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Hong Kong can lead charge for yuan alternative to US stablecoin

As legislation and dollar stablecoin dominance give US a new lever of financial statecraft, with its new law, Hong Kong can develop a credible alternative.

Hong Kong cabbies call for subsidies and grace period to meet new regulations

All cabbies will also be required to install journey recorders, which will be connected to Transport Department’s information system, by early 2027.

Opinion | Labubu’s rise reflects hitmaker ability of China’s digital ecosystem

An ecosystem that combines e-commerce with social media, it turns users into marketers, breeds viral hits – and projects cultural power.

China’s stablecoin edge? WeChat and Alipay, says top economist

As calls grow for Beijing to embrace digital currencies, e-payment giants seen as aiding yuan’s global push.

Exclusive | Mainland bank apps beat those in Hong Kong and Singapore, study says

Opinion | Hong Kong can lead charge for yuan alternative to US stablecoin