AlipayHK app launched in Hong Kong

Alipay, the online and mobile payment platform operated by Ant financial services group, announced on Wednesday that it would launch AlipayHK, a version dedicated to local-currency payments in Hong Kong. [Photo: sina.com]

Alipay, the online and mobile payment platform operated by Ant Financial services group, is launching its first app to handle non-renminbi transactions in Hong Kong.

AlipayHK, a version dedicated to local-currency payments, will be accepted at over 2-thousand brick-and-mortar stores in the city.

This marks the first version of the Alipay app to handle non-renminbi transactions.

Starting from May 25, shoppers can pay via the service in HK dollars in stores such as Watsons, Chow Tai Fook, Sa Sa and Bonjour Cosmetics, as well as theme park Ocean Park.

Mobile phone bill payments and insurance products will soon be available via the AlipayHK app.

WeChat Pay, another major mobile payment tool, is also available in Hong Kong but has yet to roll out a customized local version.