UnionPay Spotlights Cashless Journeys in China at Singapore Event

Thursday, May 23, 2024

UnionPay International, supported by the Bank of China Singapore Branch (BOCSG) and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Singapore Branch (ICBCSG), hosted a special cultural and tourism promotion event known as Project Excellence Singapore. The event, organized by China Express Travel(s) Pte Ltd and held at the China Cultural Centre on 12 May 2024, was a key part of UnionPay’s initiative to enhance payment services in Mainland China for international visitors. Over 240 attendees learned about the convenience and benefits of using UnionPay cards and UnionPay-enabled e-wallets while traveling in China, eliminating the need for cash as China moves towards a cashless society.

Project Excellence Singapore, coupled with the seamless payment experience provided by UnionPay, BOCSG, and ICBCSG, is shaping the future of cross-border transactions, enabling travelers and businesses to thrive in an interconnected world.

The event featured a presentation titled “World Cultural Heritage in China” by Professor Li Liang Yi, who has a long-term collaboration with the China Cultural Centre and Tourism Office to share insights about China and Chinese culture in Singapore. Additionally, Mr. Huiming Cai, General Manager of UnionPay International Southeast Asia, shared convenient payment solutions for traveling in China, highlighting apps enabled to scan with UnionPay QR Codes such as BOC Mobile Banking, DBS PayLah!, DCS Cards, Huawei Pay, ICBC Mobile Banking, OCBC Digital App, and Nestia. The ease and convenience of banking needs in China were further elaborated by representatives from BOCSG and ICBCSG.

Mr. Xiao Jianghua, Director, China Cultural Centre, said “We are honored to extend our iconic venue for this significant endeavor by our partner UnionPay. We hope that visitors to China Cultural Centre will delight in the joy of being equipped with 101 knowledge know-hows of traveling to China and immerse in the Chinese culture. China and Singapore are important source of tourism destination for each other and we aim to facilitate a seamless knowledge exchange for people living in both countries.  “

Ms. Liu Qin, General Manager & Head, Card Centre, Bank of China Singapore Branch, said “Our continuous collaboration with UnionPay underscores our commitment to contribute to ‘Project Excellence 2024’, a transformative initiative aimed at elevating payment service in China catering to the needs of tourists and other international visitors. As evident in our recently signed MOU on the launch of the first Splendor Plus Credit and Debit Card here in Southeast Asia.”

Mr. Gao Weiran, Head of Credit Card Department of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Singapore Branch, said, “Together, through ‘Project Excellence 2024’, we are thrilled to collaborate with UnionPay to provide a seamless payment experience that not only enhances convenience for our customers but also fosters greater tourism and business exchanges, contributing to the growth and connectivity between China and Singapore.”

Mr. Huiming Cai, General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia said, “As borders reopens fully and more Singaporeans are travelling, we hope that together with our esteemed partners BOCSG, ICBCSG, China Cultural Centre and Professor Li, we amplify our efforts for Project Excellence in Singapore. Today’s event is a meaningful platform for public to learn about the convenience of paying with UnionPay cards and UnionPay enabled e-wallets while visiting China. Through this partnership, we aim to empower travellers with all the relevant tools and knowledge they need to navigate China confidently, ensuring every journey is rewarding.”

Professor. Li Liang Yi, President, China Express Travel(s) Pte Ltd said, “As a partner, I am honoured to collaborate with UnionPay, a leading global payment brand, to introduce their products and offerings to my followers. UnionPay’s commitment to providing streamlined and secure payment experiences aligns perfectly with my mission to offer valuable resources to my audience.”

This event in Singapore is part of UnionPay’s “Project Excellence 2024” initiative, themed “Explore China Your Way with UnionPay,” which aims to enhance payment services in China for international visitors. Other Singapore-based initiatives tied to “Project Excellence 2024” include the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bank of China Singapore (BOCSG) and the inaugural launch of the first UnionPay Splendor Plus Credit and Debit Card in Southeast Asia.