Number of mobile payment transactions in China 2009-2023
A revolution of cashless payment
China left the rest of the world far behind regarding the development of mobile payment services. The number of mobile payment users in China exceeded 953 million in 2023, while the penetration rate ranked at the top among major countries in the world. In 2019, a total of 205 trillion yuan was transferred through mobile payment apps in China, and the amount was expected to reach 292 trillion yuan by the end of 2022.
From China to the world
Alongside the mushrooming tax-free stores, Chinese luxury travelers have taken mobile payments with them around the world. From Galeries Lafayette in Paris to local diners in Bali, you can find the blue sign of accepting Alipay everywhere. Shopping with mobile payment apps have become a new norm for Chinese tourists across the globe. Approximately 60 percent of Chinese tourists said they prefer to pay with Alipay, and 35.2 percent of travelers choose WeChat Pay while traveling abroad.