Mobile payments app Weixin Pay has launched a monthlong inbound payment service targeting overseas visitors to the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in a bid to provide convenient payment options for global traders.

Weixin Pay is a mobile payment service within the Weixin app designed for users on the Chinese mainland.

Its services will now be extended to 18,000 taxis, 308 subway stations, six international hotels and over 1,000 merchants, providing comprehensive support for foreign visitors in terms of dining, accommodation, transportation, shopping and entertainment.

(Photo/Nanfang plus)

During the service month, the card binding process and Weixin account opening process will be optimized, and 130,000 bilingual usage guides, signs, table stickers and commercial screen guides will be distributed in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

Three inbound payment experience service desks at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and the fair's complex have been established already.

Weixin Pay has also collaborated with the local government to train 3,000 volunteers to provide mobile payment guidance services for foreign traders, both inside and outside the venue.

A Brazilian trader of garments said he was pleasantly surprised that he could use Weixin Pay during his visit to the Canton Fair.

Payments are processed within seconds with a simple scan of QR codes, he said. "I could conveniently use mobile payment tools for transportation and to sample the local food," Allan, who preferred to use only his given name, added.

The fair, held twice a year, concluded its first phase on April 19. As of April 19, 125,440 overseas buyers from 212 countries and regions visited the fair, representing an increase of 23.2 percent compared with the last session in October, the organizer said.

Attendees take part in the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. (Lu Hanxin/Xinhua)

In addition to payments by cash, the fair's organizers have facilitated digital payments for overseas visitors by adding more payment options, including Weixin Pay, Alipay, Union-Pay and some overseas e-wallets.

Weixin Pay said it will take the fair as an opportunity to launch a nationwide initiative for inbound payment convenience services, offering assistance in products, services and comprehensive guidance to help foreigners travel and do business smoothly in China.

"I will try digital payments such as Weixin Pay. If it works, I will be really happy," said Steve Neumeyer, a buyer from the United States.

"I want to spend money, but I could never do it before," Neumeyer, a regular visitor to the Canton Fair, added.

The fair's organizers have set up a consultation desk to facilitate payment services for foreigners, where multilingual promotion for inbound payments is provided.

Through "hands-on" guidance, staff members assist inbound individuals in using electronic payment methods, helping many international merchants to solve payment issues on the spot.