Apple's own payment system has had a lukewarm reception in China. The Cupertino-based firm will accept Alipay payment across its 41 brick-and-mortar retail stores in China, said Ant Financial, which was valued at US$60bil (RM234.45bil) in 2016. Apple, whose China website, iTunes store and App Store have been accepting Alipay for more than a year, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The deal comes as Apple is doubling down on the market and looking to strengthen ties with local Chinese partners and government bodies. Alipay is China's top mobile payment platform, but faces stiff competition from rival internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd's payment system that is embedded within its hugely-popular chat app WeChat.

Source: The Star February 07, 2018 05:37 UTC