On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Bank Indonesia (BI) officially launched the expansion of its Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) for cross-border payments to China. This pivotal program is set to revolutionize financial interactions, allowing both Indonesian and Chinese citizens to seamlessly conduct inbound and outbound digital transactions through a simple QR code scan.
BI Governor Perry Warjiyo emphasized that this enhanced convenience is specifically designed to significantly boost cashless transactions between the two nations. Speaking at Grha Bhasvara Icchana Bank Indonesia in Central Jakarta on the same date, Perry stated, “So, whenever we go to China or Chinese citizens come to Indonesia, don’t use cash; simply use your mobile phone, and voilà, you can purchase anything.” This vision underscores a commitment to fostering a more integrated and efficient digital payment ecosystem.
Currently, the connectivity for Chinese QR codes is focused on key platforms including China UnionPay QR, Alipay QR, and unified QR codes bearing both UnionPay and Alipay logos. Other prominent Chinese QR payment systems, such notably WeChat Pay QR, are actively undergoing technological development and adaptation to ensure their eventual seamless integration into the QRIS cross-border payment framework.
In conjunction with this expansion, Bank Indonesia also inaugurated the Indonesia Digital Innovation Center (PIDI). This initiative forms a crucial part of BI’s broader strategy to cultivate a robust national digital innovation ecosystem. The PIDI aims to stimulate job creation and drive sustainable economic growth by fostering valuable business opportunities for industries, nurturing talent development, promoting readily implementable innovations, and ensuring synergy between policy initiatives and public needs.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Wang Lutong, extended his appreciation for these advancements during the event. He highlighted the critical necessity for the banking sector to embrace continuous innovation, adapt to artificial intelligence, and accelerate digitalization through strategic investments in technology and human resources. This collaborative spirit underscores the mutual benefits expected from deepened financial integration.
Ambassador Wang Lutong further expressed his anticipation for the formal launch of QRIS connectivity with Chinese QR codes. He affirmed China’s commitment to broaden participation by involving an increasing number of banks and payment institutions, which will further solidify the bilateral financial infrastructure.
Prior to this significant expansion, Bank Indonesia had set an ambitious target to enable QRIS cross-border payments in eight countries within the current year. At present, the QRIS system is already operational for international transactions in several key markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, demonstrating a clear trajectory toward widespread regional digital connectivity.
Editor’s Choice: Can QRIS Optimize the Economic Value of Zakat?
Summary
Bank Indonesia has officially launched the expansion of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) to facilitate seamless cross-border payments with China. This initiative allows citizens from both nations to conduct digital transactions by scanning QR codes, currently supporting platforms like China UnionPay and Alipay, with WeChat Pay integration underway. The move aims to boost cashless transactions and enhance the regional digital payment ecosystem.
To support this technological advancement, Bank Indonesia also inaugurated the Indonesia Digital Innovation Center (PIDI) to foster economic growth and nurture digital talent. This development aligns with the central bank’s broader strategy to connect QRIS across eight international markets, having already established operations in countries including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Both Indonesian and Chinese officials highlighted this collaboration as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral financial infrastructure.