Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTAninda ChakrabortyMon, August 10, 2026 at 3:09 PM GMT+2 2 min readChina's UnionPay International is reportedly planning to connect Chinese payment apps to Brazil's instant payment system Pix.According to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, a pilot programme would enable users of the UnionPay app and Chinese bank apps linked to its platform make payments by scanning a merchant's Pix code. Payments would be made from the account users hold in China.The pilot is expected to support spending by Chinese tourists visiting Brazil.SCMP also reported, citing Chinese state media, that access could later be extended to other digital wallets in UnionPay's global network.Pix has been widely adopted in Brazil since it was launched by the country's central bank in November 2020.The system enables near-instant transfers between accounts and operates around the clock.The reported pilot comes after the Office of the US Trade Representative concluded an investigation last month and subsequently imposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian goods.US investigators said Brazilian policy favoured Pix and placed US card and payment companies at a disadvantage.Brazil, however, rejected calls to change Pix and disputed the US position.The UnionPay report did not name a Brazilian partner or provide a start date. Pix has not previously been directly connected to a foreign payment system, the publication added.UnionPay has been building acceptance in Brazil for more than two decades, with card acceptance already in place at major merchants in key tourist locations, according to the report.Spending at Brazilian payment terminals using UnionPay cards issued in China increased by more than 30% year on year in the first half of 2026, according to figures cited by Chinese state media.PayPal earlier this year added Pix to PayPal Complete Payments (PPCP) for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Brazil. The update enables merchants to offer Pix at checkout, with the aim of supporting faster payment confirmation and reducing checkout friction."UnionPay plans Pix link for Chinese payment apps in Brazil pilot" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info