China rolls out campaign to boost consumption vitality during Spring Festival holiday

China rolled out a comprehensive campaign to boost consumer spending during the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival holiday on Monday, as policymakers seek to further unleash holiday demand and bolster economic momentum. 

A broad set of measures were released by the Ministry of Commerce together with eight other government departments, ranging across dining, accommodation, transportation, tourism, retail and entertainment.

The measures include festive dining offers and reunion banquets, accommodation incentives such as extended-stay discounts and family packages, discounts on home appliances and renovation services, increased transport capacity during the holiday travel rush, and nationwide cultural and tourism consumption events. It also features film- and culture-themed travel initiatives, along with promotions across major shopping districts, brand outlets and tax-refund stores, including discounts for Spring Festival movie screenings.

A strong emphasis has also been placed on the expansion of trade-in programs, with increased subsidies for consumer goods to support physical retail stores.

Beyond sector-specific initiatives, the campaign is underpinned by a set of targeted measures aimed at turning policy support into real spending. These include prize-based receipt programs to encourage purchases, expanded trade-in incentives, greater financial facilitation, closer cross-industry collaboration, and improved services to make spending easier for inbound visitors.

(With input from Xinhua)