The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, recently demanded concerted efforts to make it easier for foreigners to make payments in the country.
A guideline, aimed at optimizing payment services of bank cards, promoting cash use, and facilitating mobile payment, was released on March 7. This is part of the efforts to better meet the diverse payment demands of foreigners and senior citizens in the country.
Based on the payment habits of different client groups, the SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch provides customized services for foreigners and senior citizens in high-frequency payment scenarios, such as cash payment, credit card consumption, account opening, and elderly services.
Currently, the SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch provides multiple RMB-cash-exchange channels, including bank outlets, self-service equipment, and self-service exchange machines. In addition to exchanging RMB cash at any bank outlet marked with "Currency Exchange" in SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch, foreigners in China can also withdraw RMB cash directly by inserting overseas bank cards through ATMs and CRS.
The SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch has set up a number of foreign currency self-service exchange machines in Guangzhou, covering hotels and apartments in Tianhe Business Circle, Pazhou Business Circle, and Guangzhou East Railway Station. In some supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants that have special cooperation with SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch, swiping to pay by Visa card, Mastercard, and JCB card is available.
The SPD Bank Guangzhou Branch also supports account opening with a variety of identity documents, including valid passports, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents, Foreign Permanent Residence ID cards, residence permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, and other identity documents stipulated by laws and administrative regulations.