December 24 – ICBC celebrated the launch of Asian Games Card in Guangzhou. ICBC, the only banking partner of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games (GAG), was all set to launch this new co-branded card ("ICBC Asian Games Card') in the country. Guest speakers at the Inaugural Ceremony included Mr. Xu Ruisheng, the Executive Deputy Secretary General of Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and the Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr. Luan Jiansheng, President of ICBC Peony Card Center and Mr. Shi Gang, the President of ICBC Guangdong Branch. Guests also invited were Mr. Gao Tongyu, the Deputy General Manager of Banking Service Department of China Union Pay and Chief Representative of Beijing Office, Mr. Zheng Min, Vice President of MasterCard Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) region and Mr. Zhang Xiaolie, Chief Representative of American Express Guangzhou Representative Office. During the ceremony, first batch of cardholders received their ICBC Asian Games Cards were the Olympic champions Chen Xiaomin, Zhang Jiewen and World champions Lin Yanfen, Xie Xingfang.

ICBC entered agreement with the organizing committee of Guangzhou Asian Games on November 24, 2009. According to the agreement, ICBC is the only banking partner of Guangzhou Asian Games in the provision of banking and financial services to Guangzhou Asian Games, including bank card service. ICBC Asian Games Card is a co-branded card issued in partnership with GAGOC in the country. All ICBC Asian Games co-branded cards vividly portrait the official mascot of the Guangzhou Asian Games, "Xiang He Ru Yi Leyangyang" , naming after the five little sheep "Ah Xiang", "Ah He", "Ah Ru", "Ah Yi" and "Leyangyang". One set of ICBC Asian Games Card is a group of 5 cards. The cards, with all the rich and practical functions, are treasures for collectors. Applicant can apply one of the cards in a group, or all the five in one set. ICBC Asian Games Card is available in credit card or debit card, branded under China Union Pay, MasterCard or American Express and has two types – magnetic stripe card or chip-and-magnetic strip card. The chip incorporated in an ICBC Asian Games card of chip-and-magnetic strip uses PBOC 2.0 standard, capable of independent operation, encryption/decryption, information storage and comes with both contact and contactless features that can be used for multiple functions. For example, e-wallet, petty payment, personal particulars update or change, bonus points accumulation, membership management. The microprocessor of the chip can destroy itself to stop data inside the card from being disclosed if found to be read by unauthorized users. Chip cards are more versatile in protecting card information and allow for a variety of value-added services to be added. They are accepted at many ATM, POS of PBOC 2.0 standard, as well as ICBC counters.

All through the years, ICBC, a large publicly traded bank and the world's largest in terms of market capitalization, profitability, deposit base and brand value, has always pushed ahead its bank card service by delivering the best of both worlds in quality and innovation. Up to end of November, ICBC has issued more than 52 million credit cards, cardholder expenditure volume broke through RMB 400 billion. ICBC sits loftily over all others by capturing one third of the domestic credit card market. The ICBC Asian Games Card jointly launched with GAGOC is a way for ICBC to better serve customers and Asian Games. The launch is an ICBC's scintillating move to offer the best bank card service in a new competitive landscape.

ICBC Asian Games Cards are now available to all. Customers are welcome to apply at their nearest ICBC card issuer or outlet.