Bank Indonesia and the People's Bank of China have officially launched comprehensive trials for cross-border QRIS operations on August 17, 2025, marking Indonesia's strategic expansion into the world's largest digital payment market.
BI Governor Perry Warjiyo emphasized that this payment interconnection will facilitate cross-border trade and financial transactions, particularly benefiting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while encouraging bilateral tourism between Indonesia and China.
The testing phase involves key partnerships between the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), China's UnionPay International (UPI), and four Indonesian switching service providers—PT Rintis Sejahtera, PT Alto Network, PT Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis, and PT Jalin Pembayaran Nusantara.
BI Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta confirmed that cooperation for QRIS expansion to China is progressing positively, with ASPI and UnionPay International finalizing business, technical, and operational arrangements through comprehensive sandbox testing protocols.
Warjiyo expressed optimism that the successful trial will lead to official cross-border QRIS rollout in Chinese markets, building on the payment system's established presence in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore since its 2019 launch.
