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.
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.