The People’s Bank of China has set out its 2026 priorities for payment and settlement work following a dedicated work conference that reviewed 2025 progress and deployed the key tasks for the year ahead. The agenda centres on advancing the modern payment system, with a particular focus on expanding RMB cross-border payment infrastructure and interconnection while tightening oversight of payment institutions and business functions. The central bank cited continued improvements in payment-related laws and regulations, steady gains in supervision and service levels, progress in building a safe and efficient cross-border payment system, and breakthroughs in domestic and international payment interconnection during 2025. For 2026, it called for faster construction of the RMB cross-border payment system, further cross-border payment interconnection and a more diversified, multi-level cross-border payment framework, alongside “penetrating supervision” of payment institutions and payment business functions, a greater role for combined administrative measures and industry self-discipline, ongoing optimisation of payment services to support payment inclusion, and upgrades to payment system service quality and efficiency through innovation.
Central Bank of the Republic of China 2026-01-21
People’s Bank of China sets 2026 payment and settlement priorities to accelerate RMB cross-border payments and strengthen supervision of payment institutions
The People's Bank of China outlined its 2026 priorities for payment and settlement, focusing on expanding RMB cross-border payment infrastructure and enhancing oversight of payment institutions. Key goals include advancing the modern payment system, improving cross-border interconnection, and optimizing payment services to support inclusion and efficiency.