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China consumption

China consumption
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China consumption. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Yuan Da, secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), answers questions from the media at a press conference on China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), in Beijing, on July 9, 2025. Photo: Xinhua/Li Xin
China's economic recovery

China pledges to build megaprojects despite pivot to domestic consumption

Beijing will press ahead with major investment projects, even as policymakers look to boost household spending to drive future growth.

China economy

Overzealous austerity worsens China’s demand woes

China's economic recovery

China’s consumer prices edge up in June, but deflation worries persist

China's economic recovery

China tried to cut lavish spending. Now some officials fear ordering coffee

Some regions have rolled out draconian austerity measures that have hit businesses hard, complicating Beijing’s drive to boost consumption.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China economy

Explainer | How can China boost consumer spending? Here are 5 ideas being floated in Beijing

As Beijing’s efforts to boost consumption begin to lose momentum, top Chinese economists are calling for bolder action.

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Banking & finance

Can Xiaomi disrupt the home appliance market like it did with EVs?

Despite early success at home, industry watchers caution that the company faces significant challenges in competing with established players.

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China deflation

China urged to take bolder steps to tackle price wars, deflation and weak demand

As Beijing cracks down on cutthroat competition, analysts call for stable jobs, a better social safety net and support for companies.

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China’s EV industry has come under fire in recent months. Prices have been slashed on over 100 models, according to a People’s Daily article published in June. Photo: Reuters
China travel

Party at sea: why young Chinese have fallen in love with cruise ship holidays

Convenience, group bonding and affordable fares fuel the latest travel trend, analysts say.

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Smartphones

China’s smartphone shipments plunge 21.8% in May amid weak consumption

The May figures marked a downward shift from the previous three months, as monthly shipments from February to April all rose year on year.

China's economic recovery

China’s trade-in programme boosts sales of foreign brands – including Apple

China’s massive subsidy drive has lifted demand for a range of consumer goods, from iPhones to air conditioners.

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Customers browse an Apple store in downtown Shanghai. Sales of iPhones have risen in China over recent months, as the US firm benefits from Beijing’s massive trade-in programme for consumer goods. Photo: AFP
Asean

Opinion | How Asian businesses can compete with China’s apex predators

China’s growing supply chains offer short-term opportunities but Asia must quickly learn from how it tests and strategically nurtures firms.

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A costumed actor poses in front of a car at the BYD booth during the Shanghai Auto show in in China on April 25. Photo: EPA-EFE
Consumers

China’s real consumption ‘far from as low as it seems’, think tank argues

The consumption-volume gap between China and developed countries across various sectors is far narrower than mainstream metrics show, China Finance 40 Forum argues.

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China economy

Xi revives ‘unified national market’ push as economic risks loom

President Xi Jinping emphasised efforts to break down local protectionism in China and end destructive price wars as global tariffs threaten to dampen export-led growth.

China economy

Opinion | Labubu’s rise reflects hitmaker ability of China’s digital ecosystem

An ecosystem that combines e-commerce with social media, it turns users into marketers, breeds viral hits – and projects cultural power.

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A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during a press tour to Pop Land, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, on June 2. Photo: EPA-EFE
China economy

Opinion | Why China’s consumption problem is also a supply issue

Households with money to spend need access to diversified, high-quality services they actually want – a problem Beijing is well equipped to handle.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Xi Jinping

China’s Xi Jinping puts domestic market at forefront in high-profile meeting

Excessive competition, external uncertainty and other factors make need for ‘unified national market’ even more apparent, president says.

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Coffee

China’s coffee craze creates bottomless cup of rural cafes – can the buzz last?

China’s coffee consumption has been increasing by double-digits annually, and many new ‘rural cafes’ are trying to brew success as the risk of homogenisation looms.

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China economy

Opinion | Global hit Labubu was forged in the heat of China’s demanding market

In China’s demanding market that’s shifting towards emotionally driven spending, creative brands that succeed can look to conquer the world.

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This Labubu figurine, displayed before an auction in Beijing, on June 6, was sold for 1.08 million yuan (US$150,499), setting a record for the most expensive Labubu sold. Photo: Reuters
China travel

Explainer | How can you claim tax refunds as a tourist in China?

China is making it easier for tourists to claim value-added tax refunds on purchases made during their trips - here’s how it works.

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Consumers

‘Not cool’: why China is falling out of love with foreign ice cream

As in many other areas, young Chinese are turning away from global brands like Häagen-Dazs in favour of cheaper, nimbler local rivals.

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Chinese culture

China’s museums find a solution to their cash flow woes: viral souvenirs

Museums are rushing to launch new ranges of themed merchandise as they try to tap into China’s ‘emotional consumption’ trend.

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Tourists visit the Forbidden City complex inside Beijing’s Palace Museum. China’s major cultural venues are focusing on generating more revenue from merchandise sales as they strive to turn a profit. Photo: Shutterstock
China manufacturing

Will Guangdong’s plan for a domestic version of Canton Fair pay off?

Provincial government has released a work plan that aims to help exporters find customers at home.

This year’s spring session of the Canton Fair, from April 15 to May 5, attracted a record number of foreign buyers. Photo: AP
China economy

Economists call for structural reforms to shift China’s focus to consumption

HKUST professor tells ‘Summer Davos’ panel that opportunities can be found in services sector and smaller Chinese cities.

US-China trade war

‘Hefty price tag’ for subsidy scheme: is China’s consumer boost sustainable?

The subsidy scheme has been key to lifting China’s consumer spending this year. But it is expensive – and may be creating new problems.

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Jewellery

How deep will China go to boost gold production by more than 5%?

Central government aims to increase country’s gold reserves by up to 10 per cent in next three years.

A staff member attends to a customer at a Laopu Gold jewellery store in Beijing in March. Photo: Reuters
China economy

China’s central bank doubles down on financing support to boost consumption

Guangdong, country’s wealthiest province, announces plan to hand out more vouchers and subsidies, further promote trade-ins.

A customer checks out cellphones at a shop in Leshan, Sichuan province, on June 15. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

With The Monsters, Monkey King and Ne Zha, China IP businesses brace for growth

China’s IP sales are projected to grow at an annual rate of 17.2 per cent through 2029 after reaching US$1 billion in 2024, CICC says.

China economy

How is a grass-roots soccer league scoring economic goals in China’s Jiangsu?

Competition featuring 13 amateur, city-based teams has become a commercial juggernaut in the past month.

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