The biggest celebration of the year in China is fast approaching, less than a week to go. With red-envelope swapping, shopping is set to be one of the main activities during the holiday, with the sales expected to soar. We check out the Spring Festival fairs in the east side of Beijing to explore what's in store.
YOU YANG Beijing "Well the Spring Festival is just around the corner and as one of the most important reunion occasions for Chinese people, some preparation is absolutely necessary. Here at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing, a Spring Festival Goods Fair is underway where you may find nearly everything you need to celebrate the holiday."
YOU YANG Beijing "Delicious food always plays a leading role in Spring Festival celebrations. That is why you can find delicacies from all over the country here at the exhibition center. At many booths, you can even try it before buying it!"
"This year we are spending the Spring Festival with my boyfriend's family in Chongqing in southwestern China. I'm coming to buy some special local products as gifts. I'm from North China's Hebei Province."
"We come to the Spring Festival Goods Fair every year. We used to buy beef, mutton, seafood and fruit to prepare our food for the upcoming holidays."
YOU YANG Beijing "Besides food, there's plenty of Chinese New Year decorations. For example, couplets are a 'must-buy' during this festival, carrying people's best wishes and aspirations for a better life."
ZHANG JING "Furenfudi" Holiday Decoration Booth "We've sold Spring Festival decorations at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center's Spring Festival Goods Fair for more than 10 years. Sales are very good. We are selling couplets combined with traditional Chinese calligraphy, Chinese ink and wash painting, as well as modern elements. Many people like them."
With the holidays nearing, the festive spirit is intensifying.
Many fairs across China are offering a diverse range of products, from fruits and nuts to tea, as well as specialties from other countries.
Chinese authorities are also encouraging people to buy goods online.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry has launched a month-long online shopping event for festive goods, aimed at promoting consumption during the festive season while boosting e-commerce sales.
YOU YANG Beijing "Chinese authorities say last year, consumer spending growth remained modest, with retail sales of consumer goods up 3.5 percent year-on-year. They say China plans a stronger macroeconomic policy push for 2025 while expanding domestic demand across all sectors. You Yang, CGTN, Beijing."