Smart spending accompanies healthy travel trends
As the weather gets warmer and spring breathes new life across China, especially in the chillier northeast region, optimism in the air and smiles on people's faces are for real. Families are stepping out more, appreciating the stability and safety that the country provides, especially because these two aspects seem sorely lacking in so many Western countries.
Chinese families are exploring, spending and indulging in some of life's pleasures without fear or worry. This trait of Chinese families I have come to increasingly appreciate.
On Chinese social media, there's a surge of posts about springtime activities and the destinations to visit. The Chinese people are using the internet to find travel and hiking companions, seek recommendations for spring outings, and share memories of picnics and trips to parks and rural areas with family and friends.
Social media platforms, among other things, are also recommending cafes where one can enjoy the spring scenery while sipping coffee. And netizens are updating sites with beautiful landscapes, highlighting spots ideal for taking photographs with blooming flowers against a green backdrop.
Living in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, I have been traveling more frequently of late to cities such as Shanghai, Qingdao and Hangzhou. But every time I board a flight or take a high-speed train, I surprisingly find it packed. This to me is exactly the right type of anecdotal yet meaningful indicator of the pulse of the economy. The hospitality, retail and transportation sectors are humming along pretty well.
But it's not just domestic travel that's thriving. Southeast Asian destinations have become increasingly popular among Chinese tourists, thanks to affordable airfare and visa-free policies in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The ease of travel, combined with the chance of cultural interaction, makes these short overseas trips highly appealing.
Like people everywhere, Chinese citizens, too, enjoy experiencing new cultures, cuisines and landscapes beyond their own borders, with data indicating many are doing so.
Also, China is witnessing an influx of international tourists due to the government's visa-free transit policy, which was extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) in December 2024. In 2024, foreign visitors made a total of over 20 million trips in China.
It is no secret that the global economy is not in a healthy growth phase. Yet the Chinese government's proactive measures to boost consumption are making a real difference. Take the government's household purchase rebate programs for example. Just in March, Chinese households received up to a 500-yuan ($68) discount directly from the government-backed initiative for buying a new smartphone. Such policies encourage people to spend more on electronics, appliances and other products.
Beyond big-ticket products, dining out is a beloved habit of many Chinese households, ours included. We love to dine out a few times every week, and restaurants seem pretty busy overall to my curious eyes.
As we continue moving through 2025, I believe we will continue seeing these two main features — consumers spending more and spending smart, and Beijing keeping the pedal to the metal while rolling out various stimulus programs to boost consumption and further propel the economy.
Yet it is advisable to be cautiously confident. China's domestic consumption landscape tells a story of adaptation to the changes and cautious optimism with steady demand and measured but meaningful consumption growth.
The author is a non-resident senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
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