Opening Bank Account in China

ltcommander · 11-01-2018, 03:05 PM

Hi guys,

I reside in HK and hold a HKPR.

When I travel to China, I find it quite 'mafaan' because I cannot use Alipay or or WeChat pay. Even my HSBC Union Pay Card (HK Issued) only works from time to time. American Express is useless in China and Visa only sometimes works.

Alipay and WeChat Pay require a China bank account / China card to work.

So, I want to open a China Bank account and my bank here (Citi) told me that their China office can't open an account for me there if my purpose is simply to travel! Apparently, I need to have a work visa, etc, there.

How do you China travelers based in HK use Alipay there? And, how can one open a China account from HK? (I don't mind traveling there to open an account but looks like they won't do it for me).

Thanks!

big_panda · 11-01-2018, 03:31 PM

My mrs has a Bank of China account opened it in Guangzhou one weekend when we went for a visit. She uses it for Taobao purchases. If you dont speak Chinese forget about it, they dont have English services. Bank of China (HK) has a dual HKD/RMB union pay card. I havent had any issues using it in China.

Cminds · 11-01-2018, 03:33 PM

Are you sure wechat wallet only works with a China bank account? I have had my wechat wallet for a while and don't have a China bank account, not sure if they changed the rules.

But I can't add money into my wallet unless I get someone to transfer to me. Some of the currency exchangers can do it for amounts under 3000rmb

si0001 · 11-01-2018, 04:37 PM

Citibank China does not work with WeChat Wallet in China (I have a citibank china account).

I just opened a regular bank account with BoC using my HRP and then girlfriend's address.

BTW, Mastercard works with both WeChat and Alipay for online transactions at taobao or JD. For the day to day transactions you need the linked bank account though.

ltcommander · 11-01-2018, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by si0001:

Citibank China does not work with WeChat Wallet in China (I have a citibank china account).

I just opened a regular bank account with BoC using my HRP and then girlfriend's address.

BTW, Mastercard works with both WeChat and Alipay for online transactions at taobao or JD. For the day to day transactions you need the linked bank account though.

What's HRP?

You mean even a HK issued Mastercard works in China?

si0001 · 11-01-2018, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by ltcommander:

What's HRP?

You mean even a HK issued Mastercard works in China?

Home Return Permit.

Yes, my HK issued Mastercard works with WeChat and Alipay in China for SOME online transactions.

Grolowen · 11-01-2018, 04:59 PM

I opened mine in BoC three years ago. It was very easy, but with the last year strenghed regulations situation changed...

axelai · 16-01-2018, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Grolowen:

I opened mine in BoC three years ago. It was very easy, but with the last year strenghed regulations situation changed...

May i ask which part of China did you visit to open your account?

flameproof · 16-01-2018, 09:35 PM

Last year I opened an account with CMB in SZ. Was no problem at all. You need a local number and a local address (no address proof, can just name any address). Have also accounts with ICBC (they have English internet banking). Forgot about CMB.

Paxbritannia · 18-01-2018, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by flameproof:

Last year I opened an account with CMB in SZ. Was no problem at all. You need a local number and a local address (no address proof, can just name any address). Have also accounts with ICBC (they have English internet banking). Forgot about CMB.

So buy a China +86 SIM card and put down any random Chinese address?

I thought they accepted foreign address but I could be wrong about that.