Ministry of Commerce: Advancing the development of international consumption center cities

Ta Kung Central Plains

Zhengzhou: On January 24, the State Council Information Office held a press conference regarding ensuring market supply and boosting holiday consumption during the Spring Festival. Sheng Qiuping, Vice Minister of Commerce, announced initiatives to enhance consumption scenarios and stimulate consumer vitality. These include launching the “Shopping in China” campaign, advancing the development of international consumption center cities, and promoting innovation in the retail sector. Additionally, the ministry will collaborate with cultural, tourism, and sports sectors to introduce diverse Spring Festival-themed consumption activities.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce indicates that the market supply of daily necessities is sufficient nationwide, with stable overall prices leading up to the Spring Festival. As of mid-January, inventory levels for grains, cooking oil, pork, eggs, and vegetables at 200 major agricultural wholesale markets across the country increased compared to the end of 2024. By January 23, wholesale prices for eggs and beef had decreased by 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively, compared to early January, while prices for grains, cooking oil, pork, and mutton remained stable.

Sheng emphasized that 2025 marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and the Ministry of Commerce will introduce practical policies to boost consumption, focusing on the following:

      1.      Upgrading Goods Consumption: Accelerating the renewal of consumer goods and integrating domestic and foreign trade development.

      2.      Expanding Service Consumption: Enhancing the quality of service consumption and gradually opening up the service sector.

      3.      Cultivating Emerging Consumption: Promoting new consumption trends such as the “first-launch economy,” “silver economy,” and “ice and snow economy,” while leveraging artificial intelligence and advancing digital, green, and health-related consumption.

      4.      Innovating Consumption Scenarios: Launching “Shopping in China” activities, advancing the development of international consumption center cities, and piloting modern commerce systems in urban areas.

Record-Breaking Online Sales for Spring Festival Shopping Festival

The 2025 National Online Spring Festival Shopping Festival, launched on January 7, is the first major e-commerce promotional event following the successful inclusion of Spring Festival in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Over 400 activities have been held nationwide, with online retail sales exceeding RMB 700 billion.

Key highlights include:

      1.      Emphasizing cultural heritage through traditional Chinese brands and intangible cultural heritage products, which saw sales growth of 52.6% and 26.6%, respectively.

      2.      Strengthening domestic and international collaboration, with significant growth in imports of products like Italian chocolates (+82.1%) and American blood glucose monitors (+69.1%).

      3.      Promoting quality consumption with items like smart dishwashers and mirrorless cameras seeing sales growth of 68.8% and 51.6%, respectively.

Cultural and Tourism Ministry Launches Ice and Snow Travel Routes

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced 10 themed ice and snow travel routes and 26 destinations for winter vacations. This is part of its broader “Joyful Chinese New Year” initiative, which includes seven activity segments and 27 themed events nationwide. Efforts include offering discounts on scenic spots, performances, and dining, as well as launching self-drive travel incentives.

General Administration of Sport Promotes Ice and Snow Consumption

The extended Spring Festival holiday has boosted opportunities for travel and sports. The General Administration of Sport has launched the 2025 National Fitness New Year Campaign, including over 3,000 events such as ice and snow carnivals, rural sports meets, and online fitness competitions. From November 2024 to January 2025, ski visits in regions like Northeast China, Beijing, and Xinjiang increased by 27.5% year-on-year.

The government is actively supporting these activities through discounted ski tickets and travel incentives to encourage broader participation in winter sports consumption.