Millennium bcp CEO Miguel Maya (C) makes the first payment transaction show on the spot during the launching ceremony for the issuance of the UnionPay card of Millennium bcp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Jan. 25, 2019. China's UnionPay and Portuguese bank Millennium bcp held a launching ceremony here Friday for the issuance of the UnionPay card of Millennium bcp. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

LISBON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's UnionPay and Portuguese bank Millennium bcp held a launching ceremony here Friday for the issuance of the UnionPay card of Millennium bcp.

Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International, said at the launching ceremony that the successful issuance of UnionPay cards is an important development in the inter-bank payment business cooperation between China and Portugal, which will better serve the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

He said that through the cooperation with Millennium bcp, the service of the UnionPay network will be extended to local residents thanks to the opportunity brought about by the growing bilateral exchanges between the two countries. It also reflects the recognition of UnionPay's brand and service capabilities by mainstream European financial institutions.

Millennium bcp CEO Miguel Maya said that the issuance of UnionPay cards is of great significance to Millennium bcp, giving the bank the opportunity to enter an area with rapid growth prospects while also providing users with more payment selections.

The bank's goal is to issue a total of 200,000 UnionPay cards in the next five years, added the CEO.

According to the UnionPay International data, the UnionPay card acceptance network has now expanded to 174 countries and regions around the world.

Founded in 1985, Millennium bcp is the largest private bank in Portugal.