Jakarta (VNA) – Bank Indonesia (BI) and the People’s Bank of China have launched a series of trials for cross-border QR code payments, linking QR Code Indonesia Standard (QRIS) with China’s payment system for seamless interoperability.
BI Governor Perry Warjiyo said that payment interconnection between Indonesia and China will facilitate cross-border trade and financial transactions, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and encourage tourism between the two countries. He expressed hope that the trial will be successful and eventually lead to the official roll-out of the cross-border QRIS in the Chinese market.
According to Warjiyo, the trial in China will involve the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), China's UnionPay International (UPI), and payment system operators from both countries.
Previously, ASPI and UPI agreed to finalise business, technical, and operational arrangements. Four Indonesian switching service providers—PT Rintis Sejahtera (Rintis), PT Alto Network (Alto), PT Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis (Artajasa), and PT Jalin Pembayaran Nusantara (Jalin)—have also signed an agreement with UPI to proceed with system development and sandbox testing.
Since its launch in 2019, QRIS has achieved cross-border expansion and is currently available in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. In addition to trials in China, Bank Indonesia also officially launched the use of cross-border QRIS in Japan on August 17, coinciding with the celebration of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day./.
