'Shopping in China' initiative a strategic move to boost consumption and offset trade pressures, expert says

Chen Deqiu, vice-president of the University of International Business and Economics, and professor at the Business School at the University of International Business Economics, said during an exclusive interview with China Perspective, that the rollout of the "Shopping in China" initiative is a strategic response to short-term pressures on foreign trade and an attempt to unlock consumption potential.

"It is a path toward upgrading from 'Made in China' to 'Brands of China' and part of the strategic layout for building an open economy," he said. "This policy is reshaping the international influence and appeal of China's consumer market, and it is also opening up a new pathway for the export of Chinese consumer goods."

To further maximize the initiative's impact, Chen suggested that the country should further expand the coverage of the departure tax refund policy, create a synergy between shopping and cultural tourism, and establish a precise database of foreign tourist preferences to guide companies' targeted R&D through big data.