AlipayHK app to be launched in Hong Kong

Alipay, China's largest mobile payment tool, is launching its first app to handle non-renminbi transactions in Hong Kong, its parent Ant Financial Services Group said on Wednesday.

AlipayHK, a version of its flagship app dedicated to local-currency payments, will be accepted at over 2,000 brick-and-mortar stores in the city.

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.

"Introducing local-currency mobile payments to Hong Kong is an important step forward in Ant Financial's mission to bring our services to more users in more markets," said Douglas Feagin, Ant Financial's president of Global Business.

"We are looking forward to rolling out a wide variety of payment-related services for local users in Hong Kong."

Currently, over 8,000 stores in Hong Kong accept the Chinese mainland version of the e-wallet. Ultimately, all these stores also will accept AlipayHK, the company said.

Users also can buy coupons from OpenRice, a popular local online and mobile dining guide, using the AlipayHK app. Mobile phone bill payments and insurance products soon will 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.