PBOC to tighten rules on non-banking online payment services

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said on Monday that it would tighten the regulations on non-banking online payment platforms, to curb risks like financial fraud and money laundering.

中国人民银行28日表示，将加强对非银行支付机构网络支付业务的管理，旨在遏制金融诈骗、洗钱等风险。

The PBOC has asked users of such services to open online payment accounts with their real names and has imposed a cap on maximum yearly payments through such platforms at 200,000 yuan ($30,910). The new regulation will take effect since July 1, 2016.

中国人民银行已要求相关用户实名制开户，并规定相关的年累计支付限额为20万元（约合美金30910元）。新规自2016年7月1日起实施。

The regulator said that non-banking online payment platforms cannot directly provide financial services like lending, securities investment and insurance.

监管机构表示，非银行网上支付平台不能直接提供像贷款、证券投资和保险这样的金融服务。

"The basic function of these platforms is to facilitate the development of e-commerce", said Xie Zhong, director of the PBOC payment and settlement department.

中国人民银行支付结算部主任谢众表示："这些平台的基本功能是促进电子商务的发展。"

The country's Internet giants Alibaba and Tencent, which have online payment services, both issued statements on Monday that they support the new PBOC rules as it will ensure the safety of users' financial assets.

我国互联网行业的两大巨头，阿里巴巴和腾讯，都提供了网上支付的服务。两家公司也都于周一发布声明，表示支持中国人民银行的新规定，因为这样能确保用户资金的安全。

According to the new policy, for example, each account on WeChat can transfer at most 1,000 yuan through the "Lucky Money" function. If more money needs to be transferred, the users must provide three to five ways to verify identity, including bank accounts, driving license and social security ID.

根据新政策，每个微信账户通过微信红包转账的金额累计不能超过1000元。如果还需继续转账，用户须通过3至5个渠道验证身份，比如银行账户、驾照、社保号等。