Can only talk from my experience as both Alipay and WeChat requires identity verification even after you add a China bank card or credit card.
For WeChat:
You can only add China Credit or Debit Card. After that you have to go tru identity verification. Back when I tried, it didn't recognize my passport number so I gave up. But I still manage to get a China wallet activated.
Back then to activate it was simple, just get someone to send you a red packet and it'll automatically activate. There are also services that you can pay locally to get WeChat China Wallet balance, which should solve your problem.
However, I was also told that when u receive a red packet for the first time, you'll need to go tru the same identification process to receive it. So if you do not have a China wallet activated on WeChat, tough luck.
For Alipay:
Can't say anything about the card adding process as when I linked my China bank card with it, the process wasn't so strict.
But I can talk about the identification verification process, which is also a pain in the ass. They do accept passport no. but you'll have to take a picture of your passport. And this can only be done on your phone, so no, you can't scan and upload that, it's strictly camera only. And you know our passport is quite shiny, so no, they'll reject it (tried 5 times, rejected 5 times). Then I finally managed to get hold of customer service and send them a scanned copy of my passport to get verified.
IMO, you should try searching taobao to see if you can buy the membership via there instead.
Thanks for your detailed reply. I have no problem with Taobao online shopping , can use Malaysia CCard to pay and automatic link with AliPay .
I have emailed to the apps contact person, asking any other alternative payment or direct TT , still waiting for their reply.