New BI tie-up lets Indonesian and Chinese users pay across borders by scanning QR codes.
Bank Indonesia has expanded its QRIS cross-border system to China, enabling Indonesians and Chinese visitors to pay using familiar QR wallets instead of cash for everyday transactions in both countries.
Seamless Payments Between Indonesia And China
Bank Indonesia governor Perry Warjiyo announced on April 30 that QRIS can now be used for inbound and outbound transactions with China, allowing Indonesians in China and Chinese visitors in Indonesia to pay by scanning compatible QR codes instead of using cash, marking a new phase in QRIS regionalisation.
Current Coverage: UnionPay And Alipay First
For now, acceptance focuses on UnionPay QR, Alipay QR and unified QR codes bearing UnionPay and Alipay logos, while other Chinese QR systems, including WeChat Pay, remain under development and technical alignment before they can connect to QRIS.
China’s Support And Digital Finance Push
China’s ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong praised BI’s leadership and Indonesia’s digital finance progress, saying rapid global change demands that banks embrace innovation, AI and digitalisation, and pledged to broaden participation by involving more banks and payment institutions in the cross-border QR framework.
Opportunities For Tourism And Business Links
Indonesian Payment System Association chairman Santoso Liem said the partnership is a major opportunity because both countries are strong digital economies, noting that easier QR payments can support rising tourist flows and deepen business relations through smoother retail and service transactions across borders.
Step-By-Step Integration And Future Partners
Santoso added that integration with China’s national QR standard is proceeding gradually, as domestic providers must make technical adjustments to interconnect internationally, and that future work will include linking QRIS with other Chinese payment players like WeChat Pay once system interconnection and platform integration challenges are resolved.
The QRIS link with China underscores Indonesia’s drive to modernise cross-border payments, reduce cash reliance and strengthen economic ties with a key trading and tourism partner. Indonesians and Singaporeans alike can expect faster, more convenient regional spending as interoperable QR systems spread, supporting travel, small businesses and broader digital economic integration in ASEAN and beyond.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Antara News (2026)
Keywords: QRIS China, UnionPay QR, Alipay QR, WeChat Pay Integration, Cross Border Payment
