China tips scales toward healthier living trends

Having lived 10 years in Chongqing, Huang Mengya noticed that her eating habits, along with those of many colleagues, had shifted from the city's famous spicy, oily hotpot to lighter, cleaner meals.

"Light meals are low in calories and full of nutrients. I'm not just eating this way to stay in shape — it's for my health," she said.

In Beijing, 38-year-old Tang Xiaohua visits a health center once a week for moxibustion, a mild traditional Chinese medical therapy. She said after a six-month course of treatment, her shoulder and neck pain had vanished, she no longer felt tired easily, and she slept more soundly than ever.

"Moxibustion helps improve blood flow, dispel cold, and boost immunity, making it especially suitable for those in an unhealthy condition," said Liu Dong, the health center's owner. In recent years, he has noted a rise in the number of customers visiting for massages and spa treatments.

Whether through diet, body conditioning or exercise, Chinese people are paying growing attention to their everyday health and wellness.

A Future of Wellness survey by consultancy McKinsey in 2025 found that 94 percent of Chinese consumers view wellness as a "top" or "important" priority, compared with 79 percent in Britain and 84 percent in the United States.

"As China's economy expands and living standards improve, demand for health and wellness is rising steadily," said Li Lu, director of the social governance division of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research's Social Development Research Institute.

As the per capita disposable income of Chinese citizens increases, spending on health-related products and services has been climbing quickly, with significant room for further growth, Li said.