China Union Pay

China UnionPay (UnionPay / CUP) is the world's largest payment system by number of cards issued and transaction volume. Founded in 2002 with the support of China's State Council and the People's Bank of China (the central bank), UnionPay today serves over 8 billion cards across dozens of countries and holds a leading position in the global payment market. Originally created to serve China's domestic market, UnionPay has rapidly expanded its global presence, becoming a truly international payment network. UnionPay is particularly strong in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in countries actively cooperating with China under the Belt and Road Initiative. Key features and benefits of UnionPay cards: Absolute leadership in China — UnionPay cards are accepted at 100% of merchants, ATMs, transportation systems, and online services across mainland China. Without a UnionPay card, it is virtually impossible to pay for anything in China — from street food to high-speed train tickets and bike rentals. Global acceptance — UnionPay cards work in more than 180 countries and territories worldwide, including the United States, Canada, European Union countries, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, the UAE, and many others. Advanced technology — UnionPay actively develops contactless payments (QuickPass), tokenization for mobile wallets (including Apple Pay and Huawei Pay), biometric payments (face, fingerprint), and face payment technology, which are widely used in China. Competitive currency conversion — UnionPay often offers more attractive exchange rates compared to other payment systems, especially when transacting in Chinese yuan and other Asian currencies. Loyalty programs and discounts — UnionPay offers cardholders exclusive discounts and cashback at thousands of partners worldwide, including hotels, duty‑free shops, restaurants, travel agencies, and airports. Travel privileges — premium cardholders receive airport lounge access, travel insurance, concierge services, and roadside assistance. Security — UnionPay cards feature EMV chip technology, 3D Secure for online payments (UnionPay SecurePlus), and multi‑layer fraud monitoring.