Tech Dec 20, 2015 04:50 PM EST

Apple Pay announced to launch In China In early 2016

By Staff Writer

The introduction of Apple Pay has been announced in China, with the mutual collaboration of Apple and China UnionPay. This will be a convenient way to secure and private payment.

According to The Verge, Apple officially announced the introduction of Apple Pay, after signing a partnership with China UnionPay. It is the association behind China's bank card industry. After the deal, the Apple's wireless payment service is expected to come "as soon as early 2016." In the country.

Senior vice president of internet software and services, Apple's Eddy Cue claimed that around 15 of China's leading banks supports Apple Pay. Despite that, the launch of the service will follow  a series of tests and certification required by Chinese regulators.

The service is expected to work with UnionPay via QuickPass, an existing contactless payment technology. After its roll out, iPhone 6 and Apple Watch owners across China will be able to pay in stores. However, previously in November, it came into hearing that Apple aimed to roll out Apple Pay in China before the Chinese New Year on February 8th.

Moreover, it is still not guaranteed that the service will get through the series of tests and certifications before that date. But the company has been struggling hard to launch the service in China as it has invested around  $13.4 million previously, to start a company in Shanghai's free trade zone.

Chai Hongfeng, executive vice president of China UnionPay said, "We're very excited to offer Apple Pay among a diverse set of innovative payment options that work with China UnionPay QuickPass."

Apple Pay service in China will provide convenience and security to everyday shopping by enabling China UnionPay cardholders to easily access Apple Pay on iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad by adding their bank cards to it, as mentioned by Apple.

"Apple Pay has revolutionized the way millions of people pay every day with their iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "China is an extremely important market for Apple and with China UnionPay and support from 15 of China's leading banks, users will soon have a convenient, private and secure payment experience."

The reason behind Apple's such struggle to introduced Apple Pay in China is quite obvious as, after the US, China is Apple's second-largest market, as reported by Tech Crunch. In the last quarter, Apple generated a revenue of around $2.51 billion. China's UnionPay has around 260 million customers and the number will be combined to provide the company with a large network of potential users.

The Apple Pay service is currently successfully working in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. Next year, along with China it is expected to be launched in Spain, Singapore, and Hong Kong.


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