Wetour, Air China’s Miles program partner, has announced its XRP payment options. However, the service will only be available on overseas platforms due to the comprehensive ban on mainland China’s digital assets.
According to the statement, Wetour will accept XRP payments for some of its international services. This includes services such as airport transfers and private car rentals. The move is considered a notable example of partners at state-managed airlines testing digital asset payments.
However, the company specifically emphasized that payments can only be used overseas. Air China is part of China National Aviation Holdings (CNAHC), which is administered by the central government. China bans all digital asset-based payments and encourages the use of digital yuan (E-CNY). Therefore, XRP payments can only be used to live or travel abroad for 60 million Phoenix Mile members of China.
Some experts have interpreted the move as an effort to test blockchain technology against global competition by conducting digital asset experiments by Chinese state-owned companies overseas.
*This is not investment advice.
