{
  "id": 16835740,
  "title": "Hong Leong Bank taps UnionPay to unlock payments at 120mil China merchants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/hong-leong-bank-taps-unionpay-to-unlock-payments-at-120mil-china",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T02:54:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/10/1565208/hong-leong-bank-taps-unionpay-unlock-payments-120mil-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has formed a partnership with UnionPay International (UPI) to enhance cross-border payment options for its customers. This collaboration enables HLB customers to make payments at over 120 million merchants across China, as well as participating merchants in Hong Kong, Macao, and Thailand, through HLB QR Pay on the HLB Connect mobile banking app. The service is integrated with UPI's network and Weixin Pay, allowing customers to pay directly through their banking app without the need for third-party applications or separate digital wallets. HLB group CEO Kevin Lam highlighted that this partnership would provide customers with greater confidence when making overseas payments, maintaining family ties, and pursuing business opportunities beyond Malaysia. UPI vice-president Carlson Li emphasized that the collaboration would connect different payment systems, making cross-border transactions more convenient while supporting commerce between markets.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "V’landys sets off on secret trip to Hong Kong, China for ‘NRL Land’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/vlandys-sets-off-on-secret-trip-to-hong-kong-china-for-nrl-land",
        "published": "2026-10-28T06:07:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "V’landys sets off on secret trip to Hong Kong, China for ‘NRL Land’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/vlandys-sets-off-on-secret-trip-to-hong-kong-china-for-nrl-land-16862244",
        "published": "2026-10-28T06:07:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}