• NEWS
    • PODCASTS
    • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT PHOTOS
    • EVENT VIDEOS
    • THIRSTY THURSDAYS
    • CONFERENCES
    • NETWORKING
    • TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
  • JOBS
    • FOR JOB SEEKER
    • FOR EMPLOYER
  • COMMUNITY
    • SEARCH PEOPLE
      • Create a profile now
    • SEARCH COMPANIES
      • Create a profile now
  • EVERYTHING TD
    • About TD
    • What is Native Content?
    • Advertise with TD
    • Connect with Tory (Director of Sales)
    • Connect with Anthony (Sales -AU/NZ/SP)
    • Connect with Paul (BDM-Global)
    • Connect with Crystal (BDM-Singapore)
    • Connect with Washira (BDM-Thailand)
  • SELF SERVICE
    • ONLINE SERVICES
    • POST A TRAVEL BLOG
    • UPLOAD YOUR EVENT

Travel Daily Travel Daily - Informing, connecting and developing the world’s travel industry professionals.

  • MARKETS
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Vietnam
      • Australia
    • Thailand
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • UK & Europe
    • USA
  • SECTORS
    • Air
    • Appointments
    • Business Travel
    • Cruise
    • Hospitality
    • HR & Careers
    • Luxury Travel
    • MICE
    • Technology
    • Tourism
    • Travel Agents
  • FEATURES
    • Sponsored
    • Travel Guides
    • Interviews
    • Podcasts
    • Guest writers
    • Competitions
    • Incentives
    • Reviews
    • By the Way
    • PR Newswire
    • BusinessWire
    • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
      • Hotel & Travel businesses for sale
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
    • Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions
    • South Australia Tourism Guide
    • The Residence by Etihad Airways
    • Encore Tickets (Chinese Guide)
    • Affordable Luxury in Thailand by Centara Hotels
    • Rising Above the Oridinary by Conrad Bangkok
    • The Best of Thailand
  • FREE TRAINING COURSES
    • Traveluni Online Courses
Travel Daily
TechnologyMobile & SocialHong Kong

Tencent proposes WeChat e-passport for HK and mainland China

By Kristin Mariano On Jun 13, 2018
TD Editor
Share

Tencent Holdings CEO Ma Huateng suggested the introduction of an electronic pass system, built into the WeChat platform, for easier travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Ma initially proposed the idea during the National People’s Congress in March. He said that the e-card ID system would work just like APEC Business Travel Card to streamline border check-points for talents working in Greater Bay Area. Currently, travellers between mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are required to have special permits, similar to visas, even though they are part of the same country.

 

Ma Huateng, Tencent Holdings

The chair of Tencent noted that the ID systems of China, Hong Kong and Macau were not connected and this proposed idea will facilitate people’s movement within the bay area region. If approved, the e-card ID system will use a feature of WeChat known as “mini program” to allow users to link their Chinese ID card to their travel permits.

His idea was met with scepticism citing that speeding the border crossings violates the one-country, two-systems framework.

Ma is crossing his fingers that the central government and authorities from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau would consider this solution. However, authorities have not replied yet from this proposal.

The Chinese government is very open when it comes to technological development. President Xi Jinping once said that the internet is one of the most important sectors that the government tend to overlook. He also encouraged the country’s technology entrepreneurs to “demonstrate positive energy in purifying cyberspace”.

Meanwhile, Pony Ma has been a champion of developing Hong Kong and other former colonies into the so-called “Greater Bay Area” into San Francisco of the east.

The e-card ID system is only the start as the company has ambitious plans for WeChat such as enabling users to check into hotels and set up bank accounts. WeChat currently has 963 million monthly active users, closing in on 1 billion users.

WeChattencent holdings ltdma huateng
Share
You might also like
Global

What can you learn from OYO, Grab, Google and leading hotels at Direct Booking Summit

Air

China’s WeChat enables in-flight mobile payment

Technology

Travel tech this week: WeChat joins super app race with new mini program and more

Startups

The rise of super apps and why they are a bigger threat than Google

Prev Next

Comments are closed.

LATEST STORIES

  • Number of global new Covid-19 cases continues to fall - WHO reports

    What’s in store if you travel to Israel now. Tracking bracelet instead of hotel quarantine

    Goa Tourism launches online course

    Gourmet rejoice! Dubai Food Festival to start on 25 March

  • Qantas to roll out health passports this week

    IATA travel pass in India soon?

    How this resort is promoting the art of reuniting in Bali

    Australians will need a visa waiver to travel to Europe from 2022

  • Confidence in luxury cruising growing as bookings uptick

    Bali’s reopening within reach as island ramps up vaccination of hospitality workers

    Delaying restart of international travel will cost UK economy USD 37 billion: WTTC

    UAE hotels prepare for V-shaped recovery after vaccine rollout and herd immunity take effect

Vaccination Updates

Bali’s reopening within reach as island ramps up vaccination…

Emirates operates first fully vaccinated flight

Should vaccinated people be allowed to travel freely?

‘Tis the time to travel! Senior travellers bounce back with…

Prev Next 1 of 26

Re-opening updates

What’s in store if you travel to Israel now. Tracking…

Gourmet rejoice! Dubai Food Festival to start on 25 March

IATA travel pass in India soon?

How this resort is promoting the art of reuniting in Bali

Prev Next 1 of 7
STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS, JOBS & EVENTS!
Join over 180,000 travel agents, professionals and executives subscribed to our daily newsletter.
You can unsubscribe at any time

Popular Posts

Number of global new Covid-19 cases continues to fall…

Consumer perception of travel safety reach highest levels…

Anguilla expands ‘holiday bubble’ as Brits plan…

Thailand prepares measures for vaccinated travellers for Q3

Prev Next 1 of 14
Search
Follow Us

Menu
  • News
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Community
  • Subscribe
About
  • About Travel Daily (TD)
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 2021 - Travel Daily. All Rights Reserved.
X
Travel Daily
GET THE LATEST TRAVEL INDUSTRY NEWS, JOBS AND EVENTS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!
Join over 180,000 travel agents, professionals and executives subscribed to our daily newsletter.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Close

Welcome, Login to your account.

Forget password?
No account? Sign Up
Sign in

Recover your password.

A password will be e-mailed to you.

LOG IN

Welcome back, Log in to your account.

Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Continue with Twitter
Continue with LinkedIn

OR
Log in using your email
Forgot password?
Not a member yet? SIGN UP FOR FREE
Sign in

Recover your password.

Sign in

SIGN UP FOR FREE

(New User)

Be part of our community of seasoned travel and hospitality industry professionals from all over the world.

Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Continue with Twitter
Continue with LinkedIn
I want to
Only letters and numbers are allowed
Please enter a valid email address
Must be between 6-8 characters
Must be the same with Password
Already have an account? LOG IN
  • LOGIN / SIGN UP
  • NEWS
    • MARKETS
      • Asia
        • Cambodia
        • Indonesia
        • Malaysia
        • Myanmar
        • Philippines
        • Laos
        • Singapore
        • Vietnam
        • Australia
      • Thailand
      • China
      • India
      • Middle East
      • UK & Europe
      • USA
    • SECTORS
      • Air
      • Appointments
      • Business Travel
      • Cruise
      • Hospitality
      • HR & Careers
      • Luxury Travel
      • MICE
      • Technology
      • Tourism
      • Travel Agents
    • FEATURES
      • Sponsored
      • Travel Guides
      • Interviews
      • Podcasts
      • Guest writers
      • Reviews
      • Competitions
      • By the Way
      • PR Newswire
      • BusinessWire
      • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
        • Hotel & Travel businesses for sale
  • EVENTS
    • Webinars
    • Thirsty Thursdays
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Conferences
    • Networking
    • Training & Workshops
  • JOBS
    • For Job Seeker
      • Create a profile now
    • For Employer
      • Create a profile now
  • COMMUNITY
    • Search community profiles
    • Search Companies
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
    • Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions
    • South Australia Tourism Guide
    • The Residence by Etihad Airways
    • Encore Tickets (Chinese Guide)
    • Affordable Luxury in Thailand by Centara Hotels
    • Rising Above the Oridinary by Conrad Bangkok
    • The Best of Thailand
  • FREE TRAINING COURSES
    • Traveluni Online Courses