Today’s interviewees:

Toriniwa  WeChat is a communication tool similar to LINE, which is widely used in Japan. However, in China, the use of QR code payment functions has rapidly spread, and WeChat Pay and Alipay have become essential apps for life, more than just communication tools. Payment by QR code settlement is assumed not only in convenience stores, ride-hailing services, hotels, and restaurants, but also in stalls. I heard from an acquaintance that even homeless people in China ask for electronic money with a smartphone in hand.

Until now, WeChat Pay could not be registered without a bank account in mainland China, but from July 2023, international credit cards can also be registered, and foreigners can now make payments with WeChat Pay.
*From JETRO Business News: https://www.jetro.go.jp/biznews/2023/07/06fe7d7df33e7117.html

Chen  WeChat also has a convenient feature called Mini Apps (微信小程序). It’s a service that allows you to save instant apps like DiDi Chuxing (ride-hailing service) and McDonald’s within WeChat, and I use it a lot. It’s very convenient because you can manage all the apps you often use in WeChat. There’s a similar feature in Japan’s PayPay, isn’t there?

Endo  I was unable to use WeChat Pay on my recent business trip because the registration did not go well (tears). It seems that it’s easier for stores to register with WeChat, and there were many taxis and shops where WeChat Pay could be used but Alipay could not, which was a bit inconvenient.

Toriniwa  Yes, it seems that you can register without any problems with a Japanese phone number, but you need to enter the “SMS authentication code” on the financial institution side, or there is authentication on the website, and you may not be able to register if you cannot access SMS or the authentication site. It might be better to register in Japan before going on a business trip.

In my case, I was able to use WeChat Pay and Alipay without registering an international credit card because I could use a Chinese bank account. This time, I took this opportunity to register an international credit card on another WeChat account that I put on my second iPhone. As a result, I was able to authenticate, so I think I’ll try to see if I can use it without any problems on my next business trip. It’s even more reassuring to have two devices that can make payments (laughs). I needed a Japanese mobile phone number, an international credit card, and a passport number for real-name registering and authentication. For some reason, I was rejected about three times at the real-name authentication stage before card registration, but I was authenticated by redoing it with the same passport. I asked my Chinese colleagues, but the reason was unknown.

Chen  As for AliPay, I think it’s better to have it as a second app to WeChat Pay in case of communication troubles. It doesn’t differ much from WeChat Pay in terms of functionality, so it will be very useful when something happens.

Chen  You can assume that there are hardly any taxi drivers in China who can speak languages other than Chinese. Therefore, for people who cannot speak Chinese, using a taxi can be extremely difficult. Until now, many people have been dealing with this by showing addresses or communicating in writing, but if the place is not very well-known, the driver may not understand.

With  the    DiDi app, if you enter your destination, the navigation is set and guides the driver, so you don’t need to have a conversation with the driver, and you can ride the taxi with peace of mind as the fare is shown in advance.

This app seems to be available in Japan as well, so it might be reassuring to download it before your business trip.

Toriniwa  　Gaode Map and Baidu Map  are also apps that you should have. Like Google Maps, you can check the required time to the destination for each transportation, but the function that directly connects with ride-hailing apps like DiDi within the app is very convenient. Moreover, this function is excellent as it automatically searches for the lowest possible fare for ride-hailing.

Endo  I downloaded Gaode Map on the recommendation of a senior at my company during my recent business trip. And indeed, the ride-hailing function was very convenient. Of course, you can get to your destination without talking to the driver, and you can also pay with Alipay, so you don’t have to fumble around when you get off. Also, the fact that receipts can be saved in the app is convenient for business trips. I also liked that the user experience was similar to the Google apps I always use in Japan.

Toriniwa  I have downloaded Baidu Map. Not only for ride-hailing services, but also when changing trains on the subway, it calculates the walking movement properly, so it’s easy to read the time. If you arrive at your destination too early and want to have a tea, information about nearby shops is displayed. However, the shop information is so messy with menu and price range display advertisements that it can be both helpful and annoying (laughs).

Even for someone like me who is not good at Chinese, with this Baidu alone, I can enjoy jogging, walking, shopping, and dining in the area by myself, so I like it. Apart from the ones linked to the app, the apps I use in China might be just Alipay, WeChat, and Baidu.

Chen  Speaking of map apps, for iPhone users, there is an app that can be used as it is without changing any settings. It’s the “Maps” and “Translation” features installed on the iPhone. In Japan, it is linked to Google, but in mainland China, it is automatically replaced with a data source that can be used in China, and you can use it as it is.

Chen  My recommended app is the high-speed railway ticket arrangement app, Tie Lu 12306. The China High-Speed Railway (CRH) is one of the most convenient means of transportation for people who frequently travel in China for business. If it’s a G train that exceeds 300 kilometers per hour, you can travel from Shanghai to Beijing in less than 5 hours. It would take 15 hours by ordinary train, so isn’t it convenient? There are some procedures such as security checks for high-speed railways, but it’s not as much as the boarding procedures for airplanes. Also, you can go to cities without airports, so I often use it in China.

However, for foreigners, there may be a little trouble when registering the app. In particular, the payment method is limited to the aforementioned WeChat Pay, Alipay, and Chinese bank cards.

Yu  Yes, this app is not for foreigners, so it may be difficult for business travelers to use. If it’s for business purposes, the local person in charge often arranges tickets and such, so it might be safer to leave it to the local person if possible. However, I think it’s convenient when arranging for yourself, such as for sightseeing.

Yu  My recommended app is Dazhong Dianping, which has a usage feeling similar to Japan’s Tabelog. However, this is also an app only in Chinese and does not support foreign languages. Depending on the store, there are functions such as reservation and lining up online, and there are places that accept delivery orders. It’s also nice that there are plenty of coupons. If you’re just looking for a shop, you can use it easily without needing to register an account.