Digital technology has enabled more consumer formats to flourish across China, allowing consumers to enjoy a richer and more diverse supply of products and services through a simple touch on the screen.
In southwest China's Guizhou Province, special agricultural products including bamboo shoots, spicy dried peppers, sweet and sour pickled fish are on hot sale in various online livestream rooms.
In Tiantai Town, Chishui City, local authorities collaborated with a university to establish the first local rural revitalization research and practice base, where artificial intelligence technology is being explored to boost e-commerce livestreaming.
"I hope that through AI technology, we can reduce the operating costs of our livestream rooms, extend the time of livestreams, bring in more traffic, and help our villagers sell more agricultural products," said Dai Xiaoyong, Party secretary of Xinghong Village.
Meanwhile in urban area, the integration of online and offline shopping has also allowed many shopping centers to expand new ways of sales promotion.
In Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, many stores in shopping malls have opened livestream sessions, allowing customers to learn about their latest products without leaving home. Some malls have also launched new mobile apps, through which shoppers can place orders for delivery and make appointments for pickup, all in one stop on the phone.
"Now customers can learn about products and place orders online while enjoying our store services at the same time. This mode can also meet the needs of customers tight on time who just want to grab and go. It's more convenient for them," said Wang Dan, a salesperson.
Digital technology empowers online shopping, new consumption modes in China
Digital technology empowers online shopping, new consumption modes in China
Southern China's tropical island province of Hainan has seen record tourism and consumption over the New Year holiday, running from Thursday to Saturday.
On New Year's Day, the island's three major airports handled 1,065 flights and over 169,500 passenger trips.
Inbound and outbound travel has also increased, with entries and exits across Hainan's ports expected to reach 33,500 during the three-day holiday.
The 2026 New Year holiday marks the first public holiday after Hainan -- the world's largest free trade port by area -- officially launched island-wide special customs operations on Dec 18.
The FTP policies include visa-free access for travelers from 86 countries, as well as expanded visa-waiver arrangements for cruise passengers and tour groups, making the resort island with stunning coastal landscapes and rich ethnic cultural heritages an alluring destination for international tourists.
Bookings for international flights to the renowned tourism city of Sanya have jumped by 500 percent year-on-year, while bookings to Haikou, the capital of Hainan, have surged by over 300 percent, with visitors mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Airports have boosted capacity to ensure tourists enjoy smooth journeys.
"My family and I decided to come here and see the changes in Hainan, and enjoy the delicious food and beautiful scenery here. We've planned a six-day tour around the island," said a traveler from Malaysia.
"The scenery is absolutely stunning, and we can also go swimming. It's winter now, but we can still sunbathe here. In many other places, you can't walk around in just one layer of clothing like this. I think scenic spots such as Luhuitou Peninsula and Houhai Village are really great, and there are plenty of tasty food too," said a tourist from Russia.
Hainan's duty-free policy also attracts international visitors. Not only can they purchase sought-after international brands at lower prices there, they can also easily get premium Made-in-China products.
For the New Year holiday, duty-free shopping centers across the island have launched festive promotions and interactive events to further boost consumption.
"When I come here, I'm actually much more interested in Chinese brands. And I know the quality is just as good, if not better than in many cases. Given that it expands the opportunities for shopping for foreigners like me, it's something only to be appreciated," said Vincent Thomes, a shopper from Canada.
Hainan sees tourism boom over New Year holiday, with cross-border trips expected to reach 33,500
