Alipay being used by 100 million to access public-sector transactions

More than 100 million residents from 124 cities in 19 provinces are now using Alipay, e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's mobile payment unit, to handle social services and public-sector transactions.

The company said its latest figures show there are 40 types of public services and 4,000 business items now available through the platform.

Some of the most popular include paying medical bills and traffic tickets, making local security and provident fund queries, booking appointments at marriage registration offices, and renewing exit-entry permits for Hong Kong and Macao.