MasterCard Launches MasterPass in China

MasterCard has added China to the international roster of markets that accept the card network's MasterPass digital wallet.

China Construction Bank, which has the largest cardholder base in the country, will be the first issuer to offer MasterPass in China, using the MasterCard product to enable LongPass, China Constriction Bank's digital wallet. Once cardholders have registered with LongPass, they can check out at MasterPass-enabled merchants without entering detailed shipping and card account information for each purchase.

"The economy in China is of huge importance to the global market. With increasing levels of consumption, this new digital service will bring more value to key stakeholders," says Duan Chaoliang, general manager of the credit card center for China Construction Bank, in a March 21 press release. 

MasterPass allows consumers to make payments and store MasterCard and other branded credit, debit, and prepaid card accounts. It also stores information such as shipping details, allowing shoppers to make purchases from PCs, tablets and smartphones.

The card network launched MasterPass in Canada in April 2013, and has since added Australia, Italy, the U.S. and the United Kingdom as live markets. MasterPass-enabled merchants include Zuji, Singapore Airlines, J. Crew, Takuten, Kate Spade, Harvey Norman, Bass Pro Shops and Beyond the Rack.

More recently, MasterCard updated MasterPass to support in-app purchasing.