The mobile payment market is huge in China, with a big user base and multiple payment providers. Competition for users is getting fiercer this year, as new players enter the market. Ming Tian looks at how the providers are vying for a piece of the payments pie.

There's no need anymore to carry your wallet to dine out or buy groceries. That's because you now can pay your bills quickly with just your smartphone. 

Alipay and Wechat wallet are big names and have gained 80 percent of the market. But some smartphone makers are entering the game. Apple launched Apple Pay in February, and Samsung swooped in one month later with Samsung Pay.

The payment pioneers have a firm grasp on the market. However, the newcomers have their own advantages in groceries stores and other places.

The number of Chinese using mobile payments last year was almost 360 million, higher than the entire US population.  All of the payment providers are encouraged by China's growing offline market, but it will be the customers who determine their fate.