BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has issued new guidelines to strengthen consumption-related infrastructure, aiming to stimulate consumer spending, expand effective investment and foster a mutually reinforcing relationship between consumption and investment.
The guidelines, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other government departments, outline measures to upgrade urban and rural commercial facilities, improve facilities for service consumption and travel-related consumption, strengthen distribution networks and develop infrastructure for new forms of consumption.
Under the guidelines, China will promote the digital transformation of urban and rural marketplaces and advance upgrades in older shopping districts through cultural and creative businesses, night markets, trendy retail outlets and immersive experiences.
The guidelines also encourage the development of fitness centers and water sports facilities based on local conditions, as well as wider use of smart home products and intelligent monitoring devices.
To improve travel-related consumption infrastructure, China will support the expansion and renovation of parking facilities in commercial districts, shopping complexes, tourist attractions and cultural and tourism consumption hubs where parking capacity is insufficient.
To develop infrastructure for new forms of consumption, the guidelines call for expanding the coverage of 5G networks, gigabit optical networks, the Internet of Things and cloud computing across shopping districts, marketplaces and tourist attractions to enhance connectivity, smart services and data sharing.
Efforts will also be made to promote green marketplaces, shopping districts, malls and hotels, and to encourage energy-saving upgrades and carbon emission reductions at consumption venues.
The guidelines come as China has already rolled out a series of measures to stimulate consumption, strengthen domestic demand and support broader economic growth amid external uncertainties.
In July, China released its first five-year plan dedicated exclusively to expanding consumption. The plan aims to unlock the full potential of the country's super-large market, optimize the consumption structure and improve people's livelihoods through targeted measures.
Earlier data showed that in the first three quarters of 2026, China's total retail sales of goods and services rose 2.6 percent year on year. Domestic consumption contributed nearly half of economic growth in the period, adding 2.1 percentage points to GDP growth. ■
