QRIS is Getting More Global, Now Available in China

JAKARTA - Bank Indonesia (BI) officially launched the implementation of cross-border payment system cooperation based on the Indonesian Standard Quick Response Code (QRIS) between Indonesia and the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Before being present in China, the QRIS service has been used in a number of countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.

Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo said that this launch adds to the list of countries that allow Indonesians to make non-cash transactions while abroad.

Perry revealed that currently QRIS has been used by more than 60 million users.

He assessed that the development was inseparable from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which allows various payment systems to be integrated into one QR code known as QRIS.

"All payment systems are united through QRIS," he said at the launch of the Indonesian Digital Innovation Center (PIDI) and the QRIS between Indonesia-China, on Thursday, April 30.

Perry also added that Indonesian people who visit China, as well as Chinese citizens who come to Indonesia, no longer need to use cash.

"So every time we go to China or Chinese citizens come to Indonesia, don't use cash, just use your phone, and you can buy anything," he said.

In addition, he said that the local currency transaction between the two countries was recorded as the largest, with a value of around 18 billion US dollars.

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to Indonesia, Wang Lutong, conveyed congratulations to Bank Indonesia for various advances and reforms in the Indonesian financial sector.

According to Wang, the world today is changing very quickly, including the banking sector which is undergoing transformation.

He emphasized the importance of adapting to innovation, artificial intelligence, and digitization, as well as the need for investment in technology and skills improvement.

"We need to adapt to innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digitization. We need to strengthen capacity by investing in technology and skills," he explained.

Wang also expressed his hope that the implementation of QRIS could continue to be expanded by involving more banks and payment institutions in both countries.

"We look forward to the official launch of QRIS and will continue to expand participation and acceptance, by involving more banks and payment institutions. We are very excited about the future that awaits us all," he explained.

For information, Bank Indonesia has previously conducted a trial of the use of QRIS in China. The results, recorded as many as 1.64 million transactions with a value of around IDR 556 billion.

In the future, the implementation of QRIS in China will involve 24 organizers from Indonesia consisting of 16 banks and 8 non-bank institutions as well as 19 organizers from the Chinese side.