SHENZHEN has made strong strides in facilitating payment transactions for international visitors, aiming to create a more welcoming environment amid a surge in international arrivals fueled by optimized visa policies.

According to data released Tuesday by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Shenzhen Branch, foreign nationals conducted 85.88 million non-cash payment transactions in the city during the first half of the year, a 29% year-on-year increase. The value of those transactions reached 11.81 billion yuan (US$1.65 billion), a 35% year-on-year increase.

The top three sources of inbound travelers to Shenzhen during the first six months of the year were South Korea, the U.S., and Singapore — they collectively accounted for nearly 30% of total international visitor spending, which was concentrated in supermarket shopping and dining.

“We have strengthened efforts to enhance payment convenience for foreign nationals by optimizing scenario-based experiences, driving product innovation, tailoring services to diverse groups, and conducting regular inspections,” said Song Jiezhang with the PBOC Shenzhen Branch.

WeChat Pay, one of China’s most popular digital payment platforms, has gained increasing popularity among international visitors following the simplification of linking foreign bank cards to the platform. In the first half of this year, nearly 2 million international users made payments via WeChat Pay. The number of foreign card transactions using WeChat Pay in Shenzhen surged 160% year on year in the first half of 2025, with transaction values rising 150%.

The growing demand for convenient payment methods coincides with China’s relaxed visa policies, which have driven a significant uptick in inbound tourism. According to the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, international travelers made 3.43 million inbound and outbound trips via Shenzhen checkpoints in the past six months, a 39.2% year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, Shenzhen’s cross-border financial services sector also experienced robust growth during the period. Cross-border renminbi receipts and payments reached 2.76 trillion yuan, up 24.3% year on year.(China Daily)