Perspectives
Chinas online payment market is undergoing major changes under the Peoples Bank of Chinas (PBCs) requirement for a license from third party payment companies. As PBC regulations did not clarify what the threshold is for foreign investors in the field to obtain a license, foreign online payment companies will basically find it very difficult to enter the market. In addition, a number of third party payment companies have also been busy clearing out their foreign holdings in a bid to obtain licenses as soon as possible.
Can foreign investors get a license?
To the question Can foreign investors get a payment license? the PBC did not give a strict no, but the Measures for Management of Non-financial Institutions Payment Services (PBC Decree [2010] No.2) released in June last year have diminished the hope of foreign players to continue owning a piece of the market or entering the market in the future.