Pilot program aims to let Chinese tourists pay via Pix using accounts held in China, expanding UnionPay’s global reach.
China’s UnionPay International plans a pilot to link Chinese payment apps with Brazil’s Pix instant payment system. Users of the UnionPay app or linked Chinese bank apps will scan Pix QR codes to pay merchants, debiting accounts held in China. The move targets Chinese tourists visiting Brazil, with potential expansion to other digital wallets in UnionPay’s network later.
Pix, launched by Brazil’s central bank in 2020, processes near-instant transfers 24/7 and has gained widespread adoption. The system has not previously connected directly to a foreign payment network. UnionPay has built card acceptance in Brazil over two decades but lacks a direct link to Pix until now.
The pilot follows a US trade investigation that imposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian goods, citing Pix’s alleged advantage over US payment firms. Brazil rejected the findings, defending Pix’s neutrality. No Brazilian partner or start date for the pilot was disclosed.