Fast-food chains early adopters of system

Fast-food retailers McDonald's Corp and KFC are among the first group of merchants in the Chinese mainland to use Apple Pay, the smartphone-based payment system launched in the country, on Thursday.

McDonald's adopted the payment system at its 1,700 restaurants across the country.

"McDonald's is offering customers a digital and personalized dining experiencing," said Guan Xucong, chief marketing officer of McDonald's China operation.