UnionPay is Chinaâs bank card network, established in 2002 by the countryâs central bank and State Council with Chinese banks as its founding shareholders. It links card issuers and merchants in mainland China and, through UnionPay International, in 183 countries and regions.

Is UnionPay a credit card?

Not by itself. UnionPay is the network, and the banks on it issue credit, debit, and prepaid cards that carry its mark. In China, most are debit cards.

Is UnionPay accepted in the US?

Yes. Discover Network routes UnionPay International card numbers within the United States, so a merchant whose provider has enabled those ranges can accept them. Stripe, for one, accepts UnionPay for US businesses without additional configuration.

Can UnionPay cards be used online?

Yes. A UnionPay card is entered at checkout like any other, and the issuing bank may ask the cardholder for a one-time code by text message before it approves the payment.