Tencent Holdings launched TenPayGo, a standalone mobile payment application for foreign visitors in China. The WeChat Pay team developed the app to compete directly with Ant Group’s Alipay. Users can link credit cards from networks including Visa and Mastercard. The platform also supports foreign e-wallets and Apple Pay.
The app enables transactions with tens of millions of Chinese merchants. International travelers can register using only an email address, removing the requirement for a local phone number. Integrated features include AI-powered menu translation and QR code access for Shenzhen public transportation.
Tencent timed the release to precede the APEC summit in Shenzhen. The launch aims to capture an expected influx of international visitors.