China: China continues improving payment services for int'l visitors.

【Voice_over】 Upgraded payment services in China this summer are helping international tourists purchase everything from gifts and souvenirs to transportation and meals. The Nihao China app from UnionPay was launched specifically for inbound international visitors, letting them link their foreign bank cards to make QR code payments, carry out currency conversions or complete tax refunds. Visitors using the service in Shanghai said the app’s AI assistant makes the whole process smooth and painless. 【Sound_bite】 Tourist from Greece: "I registered my bank card to this app even before I arrived to [in] China. The whole guidance comes with AI. It helps me to register to link my card. It goes very smoothly, very straightforward, easily." 【Voice_over】 Beyond the new Nihao app, tourists to China will also notice an overall improvement with payment efficiencies, namely more receptive "tap and pay" options. 【Sound_bite】 Tourist from Brazil: "It's very easy, you just tap to pay. You don't have to worry about carrying cash anymore. It's impressive." 【Voice_over】 Data from Alipay meanwhile, the payment platform from e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, reports that inbound tourists have already spent a record high this summer with the number of transactions increasing by more than 50 percent compared to last year. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]