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UnionPay International announced the signing of three memorandums of understanding in Shanghai on July 24, 2026, with the Central Bank of the UAE, Al Etihad Payments and Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch to advance cross-border payment interoperability. The agreements focus on national QR code development, global acceptance of the UAE’s domestic Jaywan card scheme and settlement services for related transactions. Dong Junfeng, chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, joined H.E. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, assistant governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and chairman of Al Etihad Payments, for the formalities that build on a 2025 central bank pact.
According to the UnionPay International statement, Jaywan mono-badged cards will now be accepted across its global network, with the pilot phase launching in mainland China before extending to additional overseas markets. The arrangement allows cardholders to use their Jaywan cards at merchants within the UnionPay ecosystem without extra requirements. UnionPay International has partnered with more than 2,600 financial institutions across 183 countries and regions, data from the company show.
H.E. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri said in the announcement, “The signing of these MoUs with UnionPay International and Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch represents a significant step forward in strengthening payment connectivity between the UAE and China.” He added that the partnerships align with the Central Bank of the UAE’s strategy to foster an innovative, competitive payments ecosystem supported by robust infrastructure and strong international collaboration. The Central Bank of the UAE figures indicate the moves will enhance experiences for consumers and merchants while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for digital payments.
Dong Junfeng stated in the UnionPay International release that the strategic partnership between China and the UAE continues to deepen, driving demand for seamless cross-border payment services in trade and tourism. The chairman noted that the agreements build on the 2025 MoU between the two central banks and will provide Chinese tourists to the UAE with more convenient options while strengthening the global competitiveness of the UAE’s domestic payment brand. Yang Jun, executive vice president of Bank of China, described the accord on international acceptance of the UAE’s national card brand as a milestone for cross-border efficiency and bilateral economic cooperation.
Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch will deliver RMB clearing services and foreign exchange conversion under the settlement component of the partnership, the statement said. The arrangement includes collaboration on dual-branded card products, customized commercial solutions and exclusive processes for cross-border QR payments. A long-term coordination mechanism will support implementation while ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements, according to UnionPay International.
Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, had previously signed co-badging agreements with networks including Mastercard, Visa and Discover, announcements from the company show. Those deals, which began rolling out in the second half of 2025, allow co-badged Jaywan cards to be used in more than 200 countries alongside domestic processing through UAESWITCH. UnionPay International data place its acceptance network outside mainland China at more than 100 million merchants and 1.8 million ATMs, with mobile payment services available in over 100 countries and regions.
UnionPay International has operated in the UAE market since 2009, enabling merchant acceptance, contactless payments and QR services in key districts, tourist sites and transport hubs, the company said. The latest agreements also cover consulting and technical assistance for the UAE’s national QR code scheme to lower cross-border costs and improve local currency settlement. The partnerships aim to support growing bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges facilitated by mutual visa exemptions.
