Alipay in China

[HoGnix]

Opening China Bank Account definitely require a China Mobile Number.
Doubt 1CMN will work since it's usage is for SG instead of in China.

I used CMlink CN phone number ( $5 /per Month) opened CN bank account with Singapore Passport, and I linked the CN bank account to my Wechat account ( Register with my +65 SG number) with no problem. just that when do linkage of CN account ( Add CN Bank card) to Wechat, you need the CN number to proceeds.

Some CN bank can allow non China phone number to open CN bank account. But be prepared, you may not receive Bank SMS sometime. So the best is use CN phone number to link CN bank account.

 

[froztheart]

I used CMlink CN phone number ( $5 /per Month) opened CN bank account with Singapore Passport, and I linked the CN bank account to my Wechat account ( Register with my +65 SG number) with no problem. just that when do linkage of CN account ( Add CN Bank card) to Wechat, you need the CN number to proceeds.

Some CN bank can allow non China phone number to open CN bank account. But be prepared, you may not receive Bank SMS sometime. So the best is use CN phone number to link CN bank account.

Right, that's something refreshing and interesting to hear about.
May you share which bank now allows non-CN number for account access/notification usage from your experience?

 

[quekkb]

I did that a very long time ago ie bringing SGD cash and exchange at the bank in China not good at all .

What is good is if you TT SGD to a Chinese National's bank acct , they can do the exchange on their banking apps and the rates is good .

They actually bank in the account for my foreigner currency. I FX to RMB from the CCB App,

 

[quekkb]

Right, that's something refreshing and interesting to hear about.
May you share which bank now allows non-CN number for account access/notification usage from your experience?

I don't think so. Last month when I walk into CCB, they ask me if I have China mobile number before they will proceed opening the bank account for me.

 

[16/8IF]

They actually bank in the account for my foreigner currency. I FX to RMB from the CCB App,

I did that way back in 2007 so not sure about current setup logically bank notes and TT is different, that is why there is a different Fx rates from banknotes and TT( or digital) .

 

[HoGnix]

Right, that's something refreshing and interesting to hear about.
May you share which bank now allows non-CN number for account access/notification usage from your experience?

Search
富邦华一银行.

Also can try HSBC China, last year, I asked. They say can. But I did not open account there.

 

[froztheart]

I don't think so. Last month when I walk into CCB, they ask me if I have China mobile number before they will proceed opening the bank account for me.

Yes, this is my experiences too with the Chinese banks. First question is documentations then China mobile number.
Therefore, wanted to understand more when non-Chinese mobile number can be utilised during bank account opening.

Search
富邦华一银行.

Also can try HSBC China, last year, I asked. They say can. But I did not open account there.

Ahh, Fubon bank. Haven't came across one though I recall passing by one in Shanghai IIRC.
HSBC China requires 10k SGD to open an account when I last enquired, was in a rush so didn't proceed.
But I would want to open one with such International banks to find out the interface/app/services difference between them and the Chinese banks.

Enquired in HK and much more easier, say for Stan Chart, only required 2k SGD to open an account but as always, didn't had the time to proceed.

 

[boringLife-]

I don't think so. Last month when I walk into CCB, they ask me if I have China mobile number before they will proceed opening the bank account for me.

ps 2 more qns

1) Is there a min deposit to open the account?
2) Does the branch of account opening matter? I don't want to open in a ulu branch if there is a slight chance they require me to go back to that exact branch in person for whatsoever reason.

 

[quekkb]

Search
富邦华一银行.

Also can try HSBC China, last year, I asked. They say can. But I did not open account there.

I think HSBC China can support overseas number. I plan to open when I visit China. It will be more convenience for me since I am a HSBC Premier customer.

 

[quekkb]

Yes, this is my experiences too with the Chinese banks. First question is documentations then China mobile number.
Therefore, wanted to understand more when non-Chinese mobile number can be utilised during bank account opening.

Ahh, Fubon bank. Haven't came across one though I recall passing by one in Shanghai IIRC.
HSBC China requires 10k SGD to open an account when I last enquired, was in a rush so didn't proceed.
But I would want to open one with such International banks to find out the interface/app/services difference between them and the Chinese banks.

Enquired in HK and much more easier, say for Stan Chart, only required 2k SGD to open an account but as always, didn't had the time to proceed.

For me being a HSBC Premier customer, I don't have to meet the 10K SGD requirement. The advantage is I can link my HSBC SG and HSBC HK account and instant transfer between all the HSBC account.

You can open HSBC HK account online with SG passport. It comes with RMB settlement account. My Alipay and Wechat pay bind to HSBC HK debit card. It has 0.4% cashback. If you want to have investment access, then you need to visit the HSBC HK branches to activate the investment account (which I did).

 

[quekkb]

ps 2 more qns

1) Is there a min deposit to open the account?
2) Does the branch of account opening matter? I don't want to open in a ulu branch if there is a slight chance they require me to go back to that exact branch in person for whatsoever reason.

No min deposit to open the account.
From my understanding, my debit card is issued from the city, example CCB FJ but expired date is 2035. I assume I need to go back to Fuzhou to settle the debit card. As for other account matter, the system is centralise, so it should be able to update (example, passport expire date).

 

[froztheart]

ps 2 more qns

1) Is there a min deposit to open the account?
2) Does the branch of account opening matter? I don't want to open in a ulu branch if there is a slight chance they require me to go back to that exact branch in person for whatsoever reason.

Usually for Chinese banks, no.
But they might suggest to deposit some and guide you to do some transfers etc. to "activate" the account. Also, there might be a "debit card fee" of say RMB $5.

Yes, the branch matters as likely you will have to head back to sort out issues etc. if any in the future. Therefore, best to head down to one that is convenient and not ulu.
Otherwise, more or less its centralised system across to access most services.

 

[froztheart]

For me being a HSBC Premier customer, I don't have to meet the 10K SGD requirement. The advantage is I can link my HSBC SG and HSBC HK account and instant transfer between all the HSBC account.

You can open HSBC HK account online with SG passport. It comes with RMB settlement account. My Alipay and Wechat pay bind to HSBC HK debit card. It has 0.4% cashback. If you want to have investment access, then you need to visit the HSBC HK branches to activate the investment account (which I did).

Ahh, if you're an exisitng with HSBC then definitely much more easier and convenient I believe.
There's also DBS that is similar to HSBC IIRC, with much higher min. deposit required as compared to Chinese banks.

 

[quekkb]

Ahh, if you're an exisitng with HSBC then definitely much more easier and convenient I believe.
There's also DBS that is similar to HSBC IIRC, with much higher min. deposit required as compared to Chinese banks.

I was supposed to open HSBC China in this latest trip to Fuzhou (December 2025) but found out HSBC China does not have a branch in Fuzhou for me to walk in for verification. They told me to go Xiamen and even give me a manager mobile number for me to call her for account opening. It is a 2 hour from Fuzhou so I didn't open HSBC China account in this trip.

Will do it in next trip when I go Guangzhou.

 

[froztheart]

I was supposed to open HSBC China in this latest trip to Fuzhou (December 2025) but found out HSBC China does not have a branch in Fuzhou for me to walk in for verification. They told me to go Xiamen and even give me a manager mobile number for me to call her for account opening. It is a 2 hour from Fuzhou so I didn't open HSBC China account in this trip.

Will do it in next trip when I go Guangzhou.

Yeah, 北上广深 will usually be much more convenient than the rest definitely, with most banks whether Chinese or International ones present.

 

[quekkb]

Yeah, 北上广深 will usually be much more convenient than the rest definitely, with most banks whether Chinese or International ones present.

Having HSBC China will allow me to transfer money from HSBC SG to HSBC China instantly with no fee then convert to RMB.

 

[bertrande]

You can use Wise to transfer to your own China bank account.

Hi, I saw this and now trying to set it up. Adding a recipient - did you add your Alipay / WeChat Pay ID ? The only other option I see is UnionPay card. Thanks!

 

[froztheart]

Hi, I saw this and now trying to set it up. Adding a recipient - did you add your Alipay / WeChat Pay ID ? The only other option I see is UnionPay card. Thanks!

Yes, input your UnionPay card number which is essentially your bank account number.

 

[Garlic & Butter]

try to open accounts in bigger cities as your account is always tied to that province/ city/ sub-branch. One day you may be forced to pay a physical visit to the account opening city/branch to replace debit card/unlock/unfreeze / face verify etc

some locations have extra "privileges". Those in Zhuhai can accept HKD cash deposits with no service fee etc from what i heard

Same for mobile line, it's tied to the issuing-province.

 

[bertrande]

Yes, input your UnionPay card number which is essentially your bank account number.

Thanks, tried and worked like a dream. After fees the exchange rate was terrible (effective rate 5.30) but it is good for emergencies.