China UnionPay aims to become a global bank card company, Ge Huayong, chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, said on Wednesday.

Ge made the remarks after a speech at the Shanghai City Campaign Forum of the Milan Expo, where he briefed an audience of about 200 industry experts on the growth history and functions of China UnionPay. He also signed an agreement with Cartasi SpA, an Italian credit card issuer.

Ge said that the agreement is an example of China UnionPay's international development strategy, expanding the card company's customer base through partnerships with local companies in Europe, and in the process recruiting new European customers.