In terms of using technology-enabled payment systems, China has the highest adoption rate in the world, according to a report released on Wednesday, March 2, by market research firm Nielsen, based on a survey of 13,000 respondents in 26 countries.
China Daily cited the survey that 86 percent of Chinese respondents said they paid for online purchases via digital payment systems during the past six months, compared with a global average of 43 percent.
"Chinese consumers have more payment choices for products and services than ever while digital payments will continue to win over more Chinese consumers due to its convenient nature," Kiki Fan, managing director of Nielsen China, said.
According to the report, the rapid changes in purchasing behavior of Chinese consumers could be the reason for the increasing popularity of digital and online payment method. About 98 percent of the respondents in China said they had made purchases online.
Although majority of Chinese consumers still make online purchases via computers, a fast-growing number of consumers use mobile devices to make purchases, which is significantly higher than the average in other surveyed countries.
According to the survey, food-related businesses topped the list of purchases made via smartphones at 71 percent, while event ticket purchases stood at 51 percent.
The report said that the rise in the use of digital payments has attracted numerous players to the Chinese market.
Last month, Apple Inc. launched its contactless payment system Apple Pay in the Chinese mainland, allowing users of the iPhone 6 or more advanced versions, certain iPads and Apple Watches to pay at bricks-and-mortar stores using their devices.
The report said the new service was instantly grabbed by consumers.
In mid-March, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Apple's rival, is also expected to introduce its own mobile payment service in China.
Although China's Internet giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. have already taken about 90 percent of the mobile payment market, industry observers said the competition is just about to start.