People can pass fare gates at 150 Moscow metro stations by swiping a China UnionPay card with the “QuickPass” signage or a phone connected to such a card and capable of contactless payment.

This is the first time that contactless payment using China UnionPay cards had been applied to foreign subways.

The service provided by UnionPay International, Russia’s VTB bank and the Moscow Metro will be expanded to all subway stations at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year.

Chinese tourists made nearly two million trips to Russia in 2018, and so far, 16 Russian financial institutions have issued more than 2.5 million UnionPay cards.

The service will make metro trips easier for both the Chinese tourists and local residents, said Li Jingyuan, minister counsellor of the economic and commercial office of the Chinese Embassy in Russia.

Shao Fujun, chairman of the board of China UnionPay, said the company aims to expand QuickPass payment to ground public transport and suburban trains in Moscow.

UnionPay card accepted in 177 countries and regions

UnionPay International announced that merchants in countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Chile began to accept UnionPay cards for the first time, contributing to the total number of countries and regions covering UnionPay service to 177. (Armenia is the last one). Financial institutions in Bahrain, Madagascar began to the total number of UnionPay cards issued outside mainland China surpasses 120 million cards.

UnionPay started its global business in 2004. Over the past 15 years, the company has largely expanded its service acceptance footprint, serving global cardholders. Meanwhile, UnionPay has also brought digital payment technology overseas to build a widely connected global payment network. For the booming cross-border transaction sector in China, UnionPay has become an iconic symbol for the Chinese payment system in the world.

UnionPay card is increasingly versatile

According to UPI, UnionPay is now accepted by over 28 million merchants across the globe. In Asia, UnionPay payment is available in about 90% of the merchants; UnionPay cards can be used in 90% of countries and regions in Europe. Meanwhile, some 90% of merchants in the US and Australia now accept payments with UnionPay credit cards. Statistics from UPI also reveal a growing acceptance rate in emerging travel destinations such as Russia, where the overall acceptance rate of UnionPay card will reach 100% within the year; 80% of merchants in Africa accept UnionPay payments.

In addition to expanding acceptance, UnionPay cards are increasingly versatile. Statistics from UPI show that over 70 international airlines now accept online purchases made via UnionPay cards. In some 20 popular destinations for self-driving tour, travelers can pay the rent for vehicles with UnionPay cards. Among the 10 top hospitality brands, the acceptance of UnionPay has surpassed 70%. UnionPay is also accepted Chinese embassies and consulates in 31 countries and regions.

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