Twelve large-scale underground parking lots in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin have now allowed Macao single-plate vehicles to use non-inductive payments starting from Sept 19.

The country's first application of its kind for Macao residents was jointly launched by UnionPay International and the Zhuhai branch of the People's Bank of China (PBC) under the guidance of the Guangzhou branch of the PBC. It extends the non-inductive payment service, which is available for residents in the Chinese mainland, to Macao residents, marking a new milestone in the Hengqin-Macao cross-boundary renminbi settlement in smart transportation services. 

Launch ceremony [Photo by Zeng Yao / Guanhai App]

Currently, daily vehicle volume crossing the border via Hengqin Checkpoint stands at around 3,800, of which 70 percent are Macao single-plate vehicles.

The 12 parking lots are located in large commercial complexes that draw regular visits from Macao residents, such as Hengqin Checkpoint, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, and Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel. Macao motorists only need to bind their vehicle information and overseas UnionPay cards on the WeChat mini program and the deduction will be carried out automatically when leaving the parking lot.

A Hengqin consumption promotion festival was also launched that day and will last through the end of December. Discounts will be available in the areas of catering, accommodation, and tourism, aiming to achieve more than 300 million yuan ($43 million) in total consumption.