OREANDA-NEWS. December 04, 2013. Bank of China (BOC) and Union Pay International (UnionPay) today jointly launched the first BOC UnionPay Travel Card in Southeast Asia offering cardmembers privileges and discounts for tourism and hospitality attractions in China and the wider region.

 The card is now available in Singapore (credit card), Malaysia (pre-paid card) and Vietnam (debit card), and will be gradually introduced to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Minister Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Singapore Mr. Zheng Chao and BOC's key partners in tourism, including China National Tourist Office (CNTA)?in Singapore for ASEAN countries, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, China Eastern and Hertz attended the launch at Singapore.

Bank of China Executive Vice President Mr. Zhu Shumin said, "The economic and trade relations between China and countries in Southeast Asia have strengthened over the last few years. According to statistics, trade volumes between China and ASEAN countries increased from USD54.767 billion in 2002 to USD 400 billion in 2012, making China ASEAN's largest trading and import partner. Similarly, China has also become ASEAN's largest trading partner and import market, and the third largest export country.

Between January to September this year, over 2.38 million people visited China from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. To  cater to the unique needs of ASEAN travellers travelling to China, Bank of China has launched BOC UnionPay Travel Card in collaboration with UnionPay, giving cardmembers access to UnionPay's vast international payments network, and Bank of China's leading Renminbi cross-border clearance ability "

BOC UnionPay Travel Cardmembers can enjoy discounts on tickets at over 700 places of interest in China and get exclusive travel, dining, shopping, entertainment and car rental offers from more than 6,000 global merchants. BOC Travel credit card issued in Singapore also gives cardmembers complimentary access to 14 Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide and 24-hour Concierge service.