Alipay launches social feature

Alipay, one of China's most widely used digital wallet, is testing a new social networking feature in its latest attempt to take on WeChat, the country's leading mobile messaging app.

The mobile payment tool, run by Ant Financial Services Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group, rolled out the new service that allows some of its users to stay updated on topics of interest on them and get in touch with people who share these interests online.

Alipay said in a statement on Monday that the service, named Quanzi, or Circle in English, is designed to build real-name online communities via the company's big-data enable credit rating system.