Enhancing Payment Services in Guangdong: A Comprehensive Strategy for Improved Convenience and Accessibility

Source: People’s Government of Guangdong Province

The People’s Government of Guangdong Province has implemented further measures to optimise payment services and enhance payment convenience. In line with the "State Council Office's Opinions on Further Optimising Payment Services to Enhance Payment Convenience" 《国务院办公厅关于进一步优化支付服务提升支付便利性的意见》, these measures aim to eliminate bottlenecks in payment services, improve the multi-tiered and diversified payment service system, and elevate the overall level of payment services in the province.

The focus is on providing high-quality, efficient, and convenient payment services for elderly individuals and foreign visitors in Guangdong, thereby contributing to the province's goal of creating a first-class international business environment and promoting high-level openness.

Key Measures

1.    Improve Card Acceptance Environment
   1. Enhance Coverage of Foreign Card Acceptance: Local authorities are tasked with identifying key commercial areas and merchants to encourage acceptance of foreign bank cards. Banks and non-bank payment institutions will be required to dynamically update their lists of participating merchants and accelerate the upgrade of acceptance devices.
   2. Display Acceptance Symbols Clearly: Banks and payment institutions will train merchants on accepting foreign cards and ensure clear signage in the checkout areas to guide foreign visitors.
   3. Encourage Merchant Participation: Local governments will provide policy support to reduce acceptance costs for merchants and promote social responsibility among banks and payment institutions.
      
2. Optimise Cash Usage Environment
   1. Enhance Cash Service Capabilities: Banks will be encouraged to offer diverse cash services, especially in sectors like transportation, dining, and tourism. They will also maintain adequate cash withdrawal facilities for elderly individuals and foreign visitors.
   2. Strengthen Regulations Against Refusal of Cash Payments: Continuous monitoring will be conducted in sectors such as taxis and small businesses to ensure compliance with cash acceptance regulations.
   3. Improve Foreign Currency Exchange Services: Banks will enhance foreign currency exchange services at key locations like airports and hotels.
3. Enhance Mobile Payment Convenience
   1. Improve Accessibility for Elderly Users: Payment institutions will optimise mobile payment interfaces for elderly users and foreign visitors, ensuring ease of use.
   2. Innovate Payment Services in the Greater Bay Area: Banks will work on integrating mobile payment applications for residents from Hong Kong and Macau.
4. Ensure Consumer Payment Choices
   1. Upgrade Hardware for Diverse Payment Methods: Key venues must install necessary hardware for mobile payments and card acceptance.
   2. Support Soft Environment for Diverse Payments: Training for merchants' staff on various payment methods will be emphasised.
5. Enhance Account Service Levels
   1. Optimise Account Service Processes: Banks will create dedicated service channels for elderly individuals and foreign visitors.
   2. Strengthen Oversight of Account Services: A feedback mechanism will be established to address service complaints from these groups.
6. Promote Payment Service Awareness
   1. Establish Regular Outreach Mechanisms: Information points will be set up in key locations to provide multilingual support for payment services.
   2. Increase On-Site Promotion during Major Events: Targeted promotional activities will be organised at international entry points and during significant events.
7.  Support Measures
   1. Strengthen Organisational Leadership and Policy Support: Local governments must recognise the importance of enhancing payment services as part of improving the business environment.
   2. Detail Task Responsibilities: Clear responsibilities must be assigned to ensure effective implementation of card acceptance improvements and other measures.
   3. These measures reflect a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the payment landscape in Guangdong, ensuring that it meets the needs of both residents and visitors while supporting economic growth initiatives.

Disclaimer: This document has been translated into English.  If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the English version and the Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail. The full text of the measures, in Chinese, can be found below: https://www.gd.gov.cn/zwgk/wjk/qbwj/ybh/content/post_4514136.html