+ What is Central Pay?

Central Pay was founded in January 2018 and assists companies who would like to increase sales and visibility towards Chinese customers. Central Pay offers merchants payment solutions and marketing services through Alipay and WeChat Pay.

+ What is WeChat and Alipay?

WeChat and Alipay are two of the most popular super apps in China. WeChat is a social media app with over a billion users and Alipay is payment app with around one billion users. More than 90% of all mobile payments in China are via these two super apps.



WeChat Pay is a payment service which is embedded in the most popular social media platform in China, WeChat. It is estimated that around one billion people are active WeChat users, making it among the most popular social media platforms in the world. WeChat is a super app, sometimes compared to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp combined with the addition of an embedded payment function. The growth of WeChat Pay has been extraordinary in recent years and it is now estimated to be the most frequently used payment method in stores and service locations in China. The combination of social media and payments creates a unique opportunity for the merchant to reach out to the customer, cultivate the relationship and even get access to their circle of WeChat friends. Through a company’s WeChat mini-program, a customer can buy a product or services with the push of a button. Upon arrival to the country, a mini-program or an official account on WeChat can assist a Chinese tourist to find a store or a service point. Returning home, the customer can still follow the merchant on WeChat and offered friends and family to do the same, creating great potentials for further sales.



Alipay has provided online payments since 2004 as a spin-off from the Alibaba Group, the largest e-commerce company in the world. Alipay has for a long time had a dominant position in online and mobile payments in China but has in later years met stiff competition from WeChat Pay. Alipay is still the payment leader for online purchases in China and extremely popular mobile payment provider. When taking up Alipay, a company profile will be set up for the merchant in the Alipay app. Alipay offers a wide range of communication channels to reach customers and promote products and services, including coupons and other marketing tools. Such promotions can be location based and activated when a customer is in the neighbourhood of the Alipay merchant. In the app the merchant can attract Chinese customers’ attention, be it with photographs or animated images, instructions about location or other information. Alipay also offers interesting opportunities for companies that sell their products online.

+ Why should I accept Alipay or WeChat Payments?

Chinese tourists are one of the biggest and fastest growing tourist groups in the world. Surveys indicate that Chinese tourists spend on average up to three times more on their travels than Americans and five times more than the British. The Chinese travellers’ interest in experiences and exotic places over branded goods is steadily increasing. A better access to savings accounts via Alipay and WeChat Pay increases the Chinese customer’s purchasing power and convenience. Not accepting Alipay and WeChat Pay can cause lost sales opportunities.

+ What are the services Central Pay is offering?

Central Pay offers a wide range of payment solutions and marketing services. A list of services can be found under our "services" section.

+ Do I need to translate everything to Chinese?

A Chinese translation of online marketing materials can be a good way to enhance accessibility to Chinese buyers and improve sales potentials. For shops, restaurants and other merchants, a sticker in the window or at the reception desk is recommended to show that WeChat Pay and Alipay is accepted. Central Pay provides stickers, stands and other promotional material free of charge.