Beijing has announced two new payment and communication products aimed at improving convenience for foreign visitors, with the "Beijing Pass" device and card unveiled yesterday at the "Beijing Service" counter in Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

The Beijing Pass device, co-developed by UnionPay, Bank of Beijing, and Beijing Unicom, is a compact terminal that functions as a power bank, SIM card, and payment device. It supports Wi-Fi, QR code payments, and voice translation, making it a versatile tool for travelers.

Foreign visitors can easily rent and return the device at the airport service counter, located within 100 meters of the international arrival hall.

After presenting their passports, tourists can choose a short-term communication package, rent the device, open a Beijing Pass card account with the Bank of Beijing, and top it up — all in just five minutes.

"Tourists can top up the card using cash or by swiping another card. After that, they can insert the physical UnionPay card into the device to make QR code-based payments," a service counter staff member said.

The device supports both UnionPay QR code payer-initiated and payee-initiated payment methods, allowing foreign visitors to conveniently and efficiently pay at shopping malls, restaurants and specialty stores.

To accommodate the preferences of foreign visitors who favor contactless payments, the Bank of China, China Unicom, and Beijing Card have partnered to launch the Beijing Pass card. Based on a SIM card, the card offers calling, internet access, digital RMB payments, and access to Beijing's public transportation upon activation.

"The integration of multiple scenarios significantly reduces the time required for foreign tourists to apply for various products at different counters," said a representative from the Bank of China.

The card is ready for use immediately after topping up, eliminating the need to download any apps. It also supports "tap-and-go" payments, even when the phone is without a network or power.

The Beijing Pass solution will be tested with inbound tourists in the near future and officially launched following telecommunication certification.

Beijing is promoting various payment options for international visitors, including contactless payments, card swiping and QR code-based transactions, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

By the end of 2024, payment service demonstration areas at Beijing Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport had served over 31,000 foreign guests, processing millions of transactions.

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