CIMB partners Weixin Pay to support Chinese tourist spending in Malaysia

The mini program launches in January 2026.

CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad have entered a strategic collaboration with Weixin Pay to enable Malaysian merchants to engage and transact with Chinese consumers through a dedicated Weixin Mini Program, strengthening cross-border payment capabilities ahead of peak inbound travel periods.

The initiative integrates Weixin Pay with DuitNow QR, allowing CIMB-affiliated merchants to list offerings digitally, reach Chinese travellers before arrival, and accept in-store payments using a platform widely adopted by visitors from China. The solution targets sectors with high tourist spend, including retail, food and beverage, and hospitality.

According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, the country received nearly 1.8 million visitors from China in the first five months of 2025. CIMB said the timing of the rollout aligns with expected increases in inbound travel and positions merchants to capture spending linked to Visit Malaysia 2026.

From 1 January 2026, participating merchants will receive a dedicated page within the Weixin Pay ecosystem, with location-based discovery, promotional visibility and access to data on customer search and purchase intent. CIMB said the programme removes common barriers such as high integration costs and complex technical requirements, whilst offering preferential exchange rates for cross-border transactions.

Weixin Pay said Malaysia represents a priority market for the Mini Program’s regional expansion, citing demand from local businesses seeking digital channels to reach Chinese travellers. The partnership formalises merchant onboarding at scale and embeds payment acceptance within a broader discovery and transaction framework.