A: The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to inbound consumption, which a vital area with broad development space for expanding domestic demand. Since the putset of this year, MOFCOM has worked actively with relevant authorities to address major challenges and seize key opportunities in boosting inbound spending. We have revitalized commercial districts in key cities, upgraded business forms, and enriched shopping experiences to advance the “Shopping in China” initiative. Efforts to optimize departure tax refund policies and expand foreign currency and card payment channels have made “China Travel” and “Shopping in China” increasingly popular. In the first half of this year, ports nationwide recorded over 19 million inbound foreign visitors, up 30% year-on-year, while tax-refundable shops multiplied and relevant sales surged 95% year-on-year.

Next, grounded in the vital role of commerce work in boosting the domestic market and its interplay with the international market, and in fostering the new development pattern, we will take multi-faceted measures to further stimulate inbound consumption. First, we will cultivate world-class consumption environment by accelerating the development of international consumption center cities, and work with relevant authorities to develop pilot international commercial environment. Second, we will refine the implementation of departure tax refund policies by optimizing store layouts, enriching product offerings, and improving service quality based on local conditions. Third, we will guide localities in launching iconic “Shopping in China” events, organizing diverse consumption promotion activities, and creating consumption scenariors. These efforts will allow more foreign friends to experience the unique charm of shopping in China alongside Chinese residents.