App Store in China (Photo : Reuters)
Apple's Chinese App Store started to accept payments from China UnionPay on Nov. 16, Apple Insider reported.
This will benefit Chinese mobile application makers because they share revenue with Apple as they sell their software on the App Store.
As the only bank card organization and issuers of the leading cards in China, China UnionPay is responsible for the country's inter-bank clearing and settlement system and its network is extending to all rural and urban areas in China.
According to Apple, China UnionPay has issued over 4.5 billion UnionPay cards to customers not only in China but also in other countries, making it the most used cards in China. The cards are issued in in over 30 countries and are accepted in over 140 countries.
With this new payment option, Chinese customers can use their UnionPay accounts to purchase apps through Apple's Chinese App Store, which is the tech giant's second largest in the world.
Through a statement released by senior vice president of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue, Apple said: "The ability to buy apps and make purchases using UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from our customers in China."
With China as Apple's current second largest market for app downloads, Cue said that they are now "providing users with an incredibly convenient way to purchase their favorite apps with just one tap."
According to Cue, the ability to link their Apple IDs with UnionPay cards has been the most requested feature by Chinese consumers, The New York Times said.
In 2010, Apple launched its online retail and App Store in China. Since then, the country has become the company's essential area for future growth and one of its most significant operating areas.
Recently, Greater China generated the third highest net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter behind the United States and Europe.
