CHINA TOPIX

11/21/2024 10:02:22 pm

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Apple Pay Launched in Hong Kong With American Express, Mastercard Support

Apple Pay

(Photo : Reuters) Apple Pay is now available in nine countries including United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, France, and Singapore.

Apple Pay has arrived in Hong Kong, allowing the Apple users to use the company’s mobile payment system.

Apple’s payment system has been rolled out to American Express, Visa and MasterCard cardholders in Hong Kong. Other participating banks are Standard Chartered, DBS, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, Bank of East Asia, and BOC Credit Card, a subsidiary of Bank of China (Hong Kong). Apple's website notes that the system would be compatibile with BEA and HKT touchless payment network Tap & Go in the future, Apple Insider reported.

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Apple users can add their cards to Apple Pay by just tapping “Add Credit or Debit Card” option in the Wallet app on devices running the iOS 8.1 or higher. Hong Kong’s Apple Pay works fine with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. It is also available on the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and both iPad Pro models. However, iPhone 5, 5c, and 5s users need an Apple Watch to make Apple Pay work.

Greg Hingston, the head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC in Hong Kong, said the number of HSBC's active mobile banking customers has increased by almost 50 percent over the past three years, according to the South China Morning Post.

“We expect this to rise as customers continue to migrate to digital banking and as we roll out innovative offerings such as Apple Pay. Digital is an integral part of our strategy as technology and mobility are changing the way our customers access information, products and services,” Hingston said.

In Hong Kong, Apple Pay can be used where contactless payment is accepted and at a wide range of retail partners, including 7-Eleven, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Pacific Coffee, Su-Pa-De-Pa, Taste, ThreeSixty, Uny, and more.

The Cupertino-based company’s payment system has also debuted in France, which is compatible with Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour Banque and Ticket Restaurant as well as Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, an assemblage that includes France's second largest banking group.

Apple Pay is now available in nine countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Singapore. In addition, Apple plans to launch Apple Pay to Spain through a partnership with American Express later this year.

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