UnionPay Expands Payment Infrastructure Linking ASEAN, GCC And China

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- UnionPay has announced its support for deeper regional integration through payment services across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and China, following its chairman’s participation in the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

During discussions, UnionPay China and UnionPay International chairman, Dong Junfeng emphasised that as a key financial infrastructure and an international card scheme with a global footprint, the company adheres to the vision of "Trusted Ties, Shared Success" and actively supports the implementation of national strategies.

To deepen regional integration via financial services, UnionPay has been working with industry stakeholders in ASEAN and GCC countries to build an inclusive and vibrant payment ecosystem, promote seamless regional trade and people-to-people exchanges and help advance the digital transformation of local payment industries.

UnionPay in a statement said currently, its acceptance network covers all 10 ASEAN member states and all six GCC member countries, as they also launched UnionPay mobile payment services.

In ASEAN, UnionPay cards are accepted by over 90 per cent of merchants and automated teller machines (ATMs), while in GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Bahrain, almost every merchant takes UnionPay cards.

In addition to continuously improving its acceptance network, UnionPay is also localising its presence by mobilising a wide range of offerings to facilitate cross-border movement of people and industrial transformation.

Responding to ASEAN consumer behaviour and the overall shift towards mobile payments, UnionPay has partnered with local banks and fintech companies to launch over 40 digital wallets, while UnionPay cards are also issued in GCC states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

To align itself with the growing cross-border payment connectivity in multiple regions worldwide, including ASEAN, UnionPay has introduced its innovative network interoperability solutions and established or is developing partnership with local payment networks in seven ASEAN countries.

Currently, China, ASEAN, and GCC countries are working together to enhance solidarity, cooperation, and development through extensive and practical collaborations across multiple sectors.

As a key payment infrastructure, UnionPay remains committed to supporting these efforts and will continue to leverage its financial capabilities to foster win-win partnerships between China, ASEAN, and GCC nations.

-- BERNAMA