China’s Alipay is making move to enter ride hailing market. But instead of launching its own ride hailing platform, it chooses to integrate the ones exist. The payment platform is launching a mini program to integrate various ride hailing platforms from all over the world.
Alipay integrated ride hailing mini platforms
The company meant to help Chinese tourists using the ride hailing apps without having to download each in every country. Through the mini program, they can also pay using China currency, straight from their Alipay account.
Currently there are six apps registered in the mini program. The apps include Southeast Asia decacorn, Grab. AS well as Israeli firm Gett, US Lyft, Estonia’s Taxify, Middle East’s Careem and UK-based Splyt. However, some other main players such as Uber, Go-Jek and Ola are yet to be available in the program.
Alipay launches the mini program in ten countries around the world. The countries include UK, United States, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Chinese tourists can use the mini program in 33 cities across those countries.
The countries accept this mini program as one way to enhance the tourism in those countries. Because China has the biggest population of tourist around the world, and the number of it keeps on growing big.
Alipay targets the mini program to have more platforms registered by the end of this year. It also expected the service to serve in more than 20 countries and region by then.
QR Code,coming soon in Europe
Meanwhile, Alipay’s QR Code payment system is expanding even further. As the pioneer of digital payment in the country, it is now helping Europeans get a taste of its practicality.
It joins partnerships with European mobile wallets such as Bluecode, ePassi, Momo Pocket, Pagaqui, Pivo, and Vipps. Through the partnership, Alipay is creating a QR code format for the region. Chinese tourist, again, can use their Alipay balance also.
The move makes Alipay a challenger for the dominating Visa and Mastercard. Both are the most popular digital payment commonly used by Europeans.
