UnionPay card

UnionPay, also known as China UnionPay (CUP), is a major global payment network that originated in China. Established in 2002 under the approval of the People's Bank of China, it was created to unify the fragmented regional card networks within the country into a single, cohesive domestic payment infrastructure.

Today, UnionPay is the largest card payment organization in the world by the number of cards issued, surpassing even Visa and Mastercard. It is owned by a consortium of major Chinese commercial banks. While its primary manufacturing of payment technology and physical cards occurs largely in China, cards are issued and processed in collaboration with thousands of financial institutions across multiple countries globally.

As the ultimate owner, China UnionPay Co., Ltd. operates under the guidance of China's central bank, positioning it as a state-endorsed financial giant. Its international arm, UnionPay International, handles the cross-border expansion of the network, making it a ubiquitous tool for international travelers and global commerce.