Indonesia is preparing to expand the use of its Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) payment system to China, following its recent launch in Japan after the Indonesian Central Bank (BI) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) strengthen the use of Local Currency Transactions (LCT) in bilateral trade and investment.

Through this cooperation, Indonesian QRIS users will soon be able to make seamless payments in China.

“Bank Indonesia and the People’s Bank of China are creating tangible innovation through Local Currency Transactions, and cross-border QRIS will soon follow,” BI announced via its official Instagram account on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

According to BI, the framework will provide real benefits for businesses and the public by enabling more efficient transactions, lowering currency conversion costs, and supporting financial stability.

“With this collaboration, cross-border transactions between Indonesia and China will become more efficient, practical, and secure. From trade and investment to daily shopping, everything will run more smoothly,” the central bank cited.

BI added that the initiative is not only about technological advancement but also about strengthening the rupiah and creating new opportunities for the national economy.

As of September 2025, the cross-border QRIS system between Indonesia and China is still in a limited trial phase (sandbox). Once operational, Indonesian consumers will be able to shop easily in China using QRIS, and vice versa.

Earlier, BI officially launched cross-border QRIS with Japan, allowing tourists from both countries to make payments directly via their mobile phones without the need to exchange currencies. BI Governor Perry Warjiyo said the partnership will provide greater convenience, while noting that around 500,000 tourists travel between Indonesia and Japan each year.