An exhibition area for the digital yuan at the 2026 China International Financial Exhibition in Shanghai on June 18, 2026. --Photo VCG

Laos, China launch cross-border digital payment system

The Lao and Chinese governments have launched a cross-border digital payment connection aimed at streamlining payments between the two countries and strengthening financial cooperation, trade, tourism and investment.
The connection was officially launched on September 18 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to the Global Times, citing the People’s Bank of China (PBC).
The initiative enables interoperability between China’s digital yuan, or e-CNY, and Laos’ local QR-payment system, allowing Chinese visitors to make payments at participating Lao merchants using digital-yuan wallets.
The two countries are also working to expand payment functions and use cases to facilitate travel, tourism and other economic exchanges, according to reports.
According to the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), the development was highlighted at the China-ASEAN Financial Cooperation and Development Conference 2026 in Nanning, where a delegation from BOL, led by Deputy Governor Soulysak Thamnuvong, participated in discussions on financial cooperation, digital payments and financial security.
Speaking at the event, Mr Soulysak shared Laos’ views and experience in financial cooperation between China and ASEAN, stressing the importance of applying AI to strengthen financial cooperation and improve cross-border payment systems.
BOL officials also took part in the China-ASEAN Currency Cooperation Roundtable and the China-ASEAN Cross-border Payment Seminar, where they discussed local-currency cooperation and payment links between Laos and China.
The Lao delegation emphasised the importance of increasing the use of local currencies, particularly the kip-yuan currency pair, in trade and cross-border payments.
They also highlighted the connection of retail payment systems between Laos and China through the use of e-CNY in 2026, as well as the role of digital payments, AI and commercial banks in promoting wider use of local currencies.
The discussions covered measures to make cross-border payments more convenient, build an efficient cross-border yuan payment network, and strengthen connectivity and cooperation in cross-border retail payments.
The new payment link builds on earlier cooperation between the two countries. In late 2025, the Bank of China Vientiane branch was among the first institutions to connect to China’s digital-yuan cross-border payment platform and complete a QR-code payment transaction in Laos.
The service provided real-time exchange rates and clearing, allowing Chinese visitors to pay Lao merchants directly using digital yuan.
The latest development expands cooperation beyond consumer payments to include trade settlement and investment and financing services through the Cross-border e-CNY Transfer Services (CBETS) platform.
Some Lao banks have already connected to CBETS and activated its trade-settlement and investment and financing services. The platform is designed to support round-the-clock cross-border digital payments, settlement and related financial services.
According to Chinese finance officials, the upgraded platform can integrate payment flows with trade, shipping, freight and financing information, providing a more streamlined channel for cross-border transactions.
The CBETS platform was opened to its first group of 26 financial institutions in June, including Chinese bank branches operating in Laos, Thailand and Singapore. It supports connections between financial institutions and payment systems across different jurisdictions and provides round-the-clock digital payment and settlement services.
The expansion of digital payment connectivity comes as China is increasing the international use of the digital yuan and developing infrastructure to support cross-border transactions.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 23, 2026)