Commerce Ministry: China's consumer market on track for steady Q1 growth

China's overall consumer market is expected to show a steady growth trend in the first quarter this year, according to a Chinese official on Thursday.

The country's consumer market remains resilient and full of potential, He Yongqian, a spokesperson at the Chinese Commerce Ministry, said while responding to a journalist's question about the consumption trends during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday from January 29 to February 4.

He noted that this year's Spring Festival holiday saw a strong festive atmosphere and robust consumer activity nationwide.

According to data from the ministry, sales revenue of key retail and catering enterprises nationwide rose by 4.1 percent year on year during the Spring Festival period.

Sales of home appliances and communication devices grew by over ten percent year on year. Revenue of catering enterprises increased by 6.2 percent, He added.

China recorded 500 million passenger trips through domestic tourism, up 5.9 percent year on year, amounting to a total spending of 677 billion yuan ($93.1 billion), a seven percent increase, He said.

Meanwhile, box office revenue during the holiday period hit 9.51 billion yuan ($1.31 billion), setting a new record, the spokesperson stated.