Weixin makes ‘strategic’ tie-ups in Singapore as China reopens

Update (February 6, 3:00 pm): This article was updated to include a statement from Weixin and to correct the company involved.

Tencent’s Weixin is inking key partnerships with firms in Singapore as the messaging platform looks to cash in on the influx of Chinese tourists traveling to the city-state and Southeast Asia, CNBC reported.

Last month, Weixin forged a partnership with Grab, allowing the former’s users to book ride-hailing services across Southeast Asia via the Grab Mini Program on Weixin.

“With China recently easing its international travel restrictions, we’re optimistic that Southeast Asia’s tourism market stands to benefit significantly as Chinese travellers venture overseas again,” a Grab spokesperson told Tech in Asia.

Etienne Ng, regional director for Weixin Pay in Southeast Asia, told CNBC that the company wants to “make it easier for Chinese tourists to patronize local merchants.”

“Over the past few years, Weixin Pay has been expanding its network of partners in Singapore, and working closely with local organisations to support their digitalisation efforts by leveraging on the Weixin Ecosystem. This includes businesses across retail, food and beverages (F&B), travel, hospitality, and more,” a spokesperson for Weixin Pay told Tech in Asia.

Weixin is also joining hands with the Singapore Tourism Board to update the MeetSG mini-app. Launched in 2019, the program aims to make trips more convenient for Chinese business travelers to Singapore.

Thanks in part to easing restrictions in China, Singapore is expected to see 14 million visitors this year.

See also: Tencent’s financial health in 5 charts