Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said in Shanghai on Tuesday that it plans to expand operations in China. The expansion will make China its biggest global market in five years.

The hotel group signed a global partnership agreement with UnionPay International specifying that group hotels across the world will accept UnionPay cards (with card number starting with 62 and UnionPay logo on card face) within one year and various kinds of card services will be provided to UnionPay cardholders.

Michael Hobson, the group's chief marketing officer, said China is already its second-largest market.

Wang Lixin, chief business development officer of UnionPay International said UnionPay International is strengthening its cooperation with relevant sectors from home and abroad, and providing convenient and favorable payment service to UnionPay cardholders.