A glimpse of China's considerable consumer market vitality

BEIJING -- While insufficient domestic demand remains a challenge, China has seen its consumption sector, a key driver of economic growth, unleash more vitality in recent months, with hustle and bustle in the market and new demand fueling and shaping trends. From buzzing market activity and revealing economic data to evolving consumer scenarios, China's consumption dynamics not only reflect the pulse of economic recovery but also highlight deeper structural transformations. "As ice-and-snow consumption moves from niche to mainstream, it will help China build a robust ice-and-snow economy, offering a new and vital pillar for the country's economic growth," said Zheng Liansheng, a researcher with the Institute of Finance & Banking, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Vibrant consumer spending data stemming from the 2025 Spring Festival holiday confirm a strong and energetic start to the year for the world's second-largest economy. "The recent consumption boom highlights China's strong domestic demand potential and broad prospects for future growth," said Chen Lifen, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, adding that China's consumption market is expected to maintain a trend of diversification and high-quality growth in 2025.