SHANGHAI, China, Apr. 28, 2016 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--
 
On April 28, UnionPay International announced its joint issuance of the first UnionPay credit card (card number starting with 62) in the US with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (US) (hereinafter referred to as the "ICBC US"). It is also the first credit card issued by a Chinese commercial bank there. Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International, Wang Xiquan, Vice President of ICBC, and Luan Jiansheng, President of ICBC Peony Card Center attended the issuing ceremony. Zhang Qiyue, Chinese consul-general in New York was present for congratulations.
 
UnionPay and ICBC, with similar internationalization strategies, are strategic partners to each other. They work closely worldwide in UnionPay cards acceptance, issuance and innovative payment. UnionPay's continuously expanding acceptance footprint overseas meets the payment demand of global cardholders, who are also customers of international issuers like ICBC. UnionPay International also helps Chinese banks' overseas expansion. So far, it has cooperated with ICBC in issuing cards in over 20 countries and regions, including Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.
 
This UnionPay credit card, accepted in the UnionPay acceptance network in 157 countries and regions, is to deliver secure, convenient and preferential payment service to American residents who travel to China and other Asia-Pacific countries, as well as Chinese citizens in the US and exchange students. Two types are offered: "Preferred cards" and "Premier cards"; the former is without annual fee and offers cash refund while the latter offers more cash refund sand VIP services.
 
Cai Jianbo said, China-US Travel Year will promote personnel exchanges between the two countries and UnionPay cards will offer more convenient and considerate payment services. The UnionPay network in the US can now satisfy cardholders' needs while providing rich privileges and optimized experiences. UnionPay online payment is also available at major e-merchants and renowned universities. With improved acceptance environment, we partner with ICBC in issuing UnionPay cards to offer new payment options for local residents, attract more US customers to China, and support bilateral exchanges.
 
To date, over 54 million UnionPay cards have been issued overseas. UnionPay's service system in the US keeps improving. UnionPay cards are now accepted at almost all local ATMs. 80% of local merchants support signature payment with UnionPay cards, and merchants with PIN pads support PIN payment with UnionPay cards.
 
For more information: http://www.unionpayintl.com/
 
Source: UnionPay International 

--BERNAMA