China's UnionPay to offer improved payment service in Singapore

BEIJING - Users of China's largest bank card association, UnionPay, will enjoy safer and faster payment service in Singapore.

UnionPay International said on Tuesday that QuickPass service is now available in Singaporean outlets with small transaction amounts such as fast food restaurants, cinemas, coffee shops and supermarkets.

Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia -- a major region for tourism -- with access to QuickPass, whose terminals are already available in the Republic of Korea and Australia.

The service is safer than ordinary chip cards and not restricted to WiFi-networks or international roaming traffic.

The company is planning to extend the number of QuickPass terminals in Singapore's commercial outlets, including shopping malls, department stores, and leisure and entertainment spots, UnionPay International said.

According to recent data, a total of 1.2 billion UnionPay cards have been issued worldwide, and 700 million are QuickPass-enabled. The total number of overseas QuickPass terminals has exceeded 30,000, and by the end of this year, the number will reach 40,000.

UnionPay cards are now accepted in more than 150 countries and regions.