(Yicai Global) Dec. 5 -- Huawei has launched an application that transforms the Chinese tech giant's handsets into point of sales systems in conjunction with China UnionPay, the country's largest bank card provider.

The pair has launched pilot operations for the new app that allows merchants to accept various payment methods such as UnionPay Quickpass and QR code-based transactions via Huawei phones, Chinese mobile payment-focused news outlet MPayPass reported.

Launched with the support of the country's public security ministry, the system uses an electronic identity system to provide online and offline authentication through fingerprint scanning. The app can also be used to check-in at hotels.

UnionPay has carried out in-depth research to develop a series of solutions for everyday consumer problems, China UnionPay Assistant President Qi Yuemin said, adding that the mobile POS product was one of them.

The use of smartphones as POS devices can help banks to expand their business to more small-sized firms, as well as to rural and international markets, MPayPass pointed out.

Editor: William Clegg