Tencent Holdings officially launched TenPayGo on Thursday, a mobile payment solution specifically engineered for foreign travelers visiting China. The application, developed by the company’s WeChat Pay division, is intended to integrate international payment methods into China’s existing digital economy, which is heavily reliant on mobile platforms.

By using TenPayGo, international visitors can link their home-country credit cards or existing digital wallets to the WeChat Pay network. This integration allows users to make payments at millions of locations, including retail shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions throughout the country. The timing of the launch is strategically linked to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen, an event expected to draw a significant number of international delegates and visitors.

This move represents a broader effort by Chinese tech giants to address the friction often experienced by foreign tourists who struggle to navigate China’s cashless payment ecosystem. While local residents rely almost exclusively on WeChat Pay and Alipay, international visitors have historically faced difficulties due to requirements for local bank accounts or specific Chinese identification. TenPayGo serves as a bridge, enabling these visitors to participate in the local economy without needing to open a domestic bank account. The rollout is part of a larger push by the Chinese government and private sector to boost inbound tourism and improve the overall experience for international business travelers and vacationers alike.