Kuala Lumpur: UnionPay has announced its support for deeper regional integration through payment services across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and China. This announcement followed the participation of its chairman in the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UnionPay China and UnionPay International chairman, Dong Junfeng, emphasized 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. This aims to promote seamless regional trade and people-to-people exchanges and help advance the digital transformation of local payment industries.
UnionPay stated that its acceptance network currently covers all 10 ASEAN member states and all six GCC member countries, alongside the launch of UnionPay mobile payment services. In ASEAN, UnionPay cards are accepted by over 90 percent 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 accepts UnionPay cards.
In addition to improving its acceptance network, UnionPay is localizing its presence by mobilizing a wide range of offerings to facilitate cross-border movement of people and industrial transformation. Responding to ASEAN consumer behavior and the shift towards mobile payments, UnionPay has partnered with local banks and fintech companies to launch over 40 digital wallets. UnionPay cards are also issued in GCC states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
To align with the growing cross-border payment connectivity in multiple regions, including ASEAN, UnionPay has introduced its innovative network interoperability solutions and is establishing partnerships with local payment networks in seven ASEAN countries.
Currently, China, ASEAN, and GCC countries are collaborating 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.