China intensifies financial support to spur consumption

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities on Sunday made public a circular urging stronger coordination between the commerce and financial sectors to step up support for consumption, a key driver of the country's economic growth.

The document, jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, outlines measures to guide financial institutions in focusing their support on key consumption areas and facilitating the expansion of domestic demand.

The circular calls for establishing sound coordination mechanisms between local commerce and financial authorities. It encourages local governments to utilize various policy tools, such as financing guarantees and loan interest subsidies, to guide credit funds toward critical consumption sectors.

Notably, the document highlights the use of digital RMB in enhancing the efficiency of consumption-promotion policies.

To upgrade goods consumption, financial institutions are urged to optimize services for big-ticket durable goods and electronics. The authorities emphasized support for trade-in programs, suggesting reasonable determination of loan rates and terms based on borrowers' creditworthiness.

In the services sector, the policy stresses innovation in financial products for industries such as elderly care, catering, tourism, and education.

It encourages the cultivation of new consumption models, including the "debut economy," green consumption, and digital scenarios, while promoting the application of artificial intelligence in driving consumption.

The circular pledges more financial support for the "Shopping in China" campaign and the development of international consumption center cities. It also highlights measures to promote inbound consumption, vowing to continuously improve payment convenience for visitors from overseas.

Furthermore, the circular aims to promote joint promotional activities involving government bodies, financial institutions, and merchants to create a synergy in boosting consumption.

It also calls for improved information sharing regarding credit for micro and small enterprises in the commerce sector to ensure financing reaches those in need more precisely.