Apple today announced that the App Store has added UnionPay as a payment option for customers in China. China UnionPay is the most popular payment card in China and will provide App Store customers with a simple and more convenient way to purchase their favorite apps. Customers can easily link their Apple ID with a UnionPay debit or credit card for one-tap purchases.
“The ability to buy apps and make purchases using UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from our customers in China,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “China is already our second largest market for app downloads, and now we’re providing users with an incredibly convenient way to purchase their favorite apps with just one-tap.”
As a bankcard network, China UnionPay operates China’s national inter-bank clearing and settlement system, develops the worldwide UnionPay Card acceptance network, promotes the issuance and usage of the UnionPay Card as well as other innovative payment solutions, so as to provide quality, efficient and safe payment services to cardholders.
To date, the total number of UnionPay Cards issued both at home and abroad has exceeded 4.5 billion. The UnionPay network has been extended to all cities and rural areas in China. In addition, China UnionPay has enabled UnionPay Card acceptance in over 140 countries and regions through extensive cooperation with more than 400 institutions around the world.
Alibaba is discussing a payment alliance between Apple and Alipay earlier this month that would focus on the Chinese market, and the two parties are currently discussing specifics of a possible partnership.
And, this announced collaboration with UnionPay is for Apple’s App Store and not Apple Pay; it’s still unclear whether Apple will seek a payment partner in China. If they do, Alipay will be most welcome by Chinese users considering it’s the largest mobile payment provider in China.
Also read: Insights of China Mobile Payment (Wechat, Alipay) Users