China has been opening up its markets for imported goods by lowering tariffs and signing a series of FTAs with countries around the world. With a growing middle class also comes a rising demand for quality imported products. CGTN's Grace Shao spoke with experts and consumers in Shanghai about changes in the average Chinese consumer's purchasing habits.

Chinese consumers are upgrading their lifestyles, spending more to do so and improving their entertainment experience. This has spurred a growing demand for imported goods. I spoke to Professor Li Li, who says China's consumption can be divided into three stages.

GRACE SHAO SHANGHAI "From 80 USD GDP per capita annual to 80 thousand USD GDP per capita, the average Chinese households purchasing power has shot up dramatically since its opening up in the 1980s, and this means they're not only looking for quality now but also, variety."

According to the website World's Top Exports, China imported close to 1.6 trillion US dollars worth of goods from around the globe in 2016, up by 58% since 2009. 

SHI YAN, SHOPPER SHANGHAI "My purchasing habits have changed with the increase of my income. I value safety and quality the most when it comes to buying imported products. Usually its food for my kid or skin care and cosmetic products for myself. The difference between high-quality domestic goods, and imported goods is marginal."

ZHANG XUN JUN, FLOOR MANAGER SOGO GROCERY MARKET, SHANGHAI "Chinese consumers now know foreign products and brands very well. They often have already purchased the product abroad before looking for it in China. The import market in China is now very transparent, and consumers have very high expectations when it comes to imported goods."

Zhang and Professor Li both believe that the average consumer is becoming more aware of imported goods and with that awareness, people are choosing products for their value, which ultimately promotes healthy competition in the market. With a population of 1.37 billion, the market is evidently large enough to host the best of the best whether it's domestic goods or imported goods. Grace Shao, CGTN, Shanghai.