China's digital product market has received a major boost as the Ministry of Commerce rolled out a nationwide subsidy program on Monday, providing a 15 percent discount on eligible products, including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, which has fueled a surge in orders.
The new subsidy program, announced by the Ministry of Commerce on Jan. 15, gives a 15 percent discount on the sales price of eligible digital products priced below 6,000 yuan (around 835 U.S. dollars) per item. Each consumer can receive a maximum subsidy of 500 yuan (about 70 U.S. dollars) per product, with a limit of one subsidized item per category.
The subsidy program, which covers digital products such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and wristbands, has ignited a wave of consumer excitement, driving a sharp increase in production orders across the industry. It has been implemented in 29 regions across China, including Beijing, and will gradually be rolled out in other places.
In Beijing, a leading digital products store is offering subsidies on over 400 products from multiple brands, providing customers with a wide range of options to take advantage of the discount.
The store sold 20 mobile phones within just two hours on Monday, a testament to the intense consumer interest in the subsidized products.
"We have prepared sufficient stock, with the stock volume being five times the usual level," said Liu Jincheng, staff member at the digital product store.
In Changxing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, mobile phone shops were bustling with buyers on Monday, many of whom were eager to take advantage of the subsidies to purchase their desired products.
"The total discount amounted to over 1,000 yuan (about 137 U.S. dollars), which is enough for me to buy a watch. The discount is quite generous," said Xu Siyan, one of the customers.
China's digital product market sees surge in sales as subsidy program takes effect
China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday that one of the top priorities at present is to contain the spread of the conflict and prevent further involvement of other countries.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, at the latter's request.
Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that the current situation in the Middle East is still deteriorating, with the conflict continuing to spread. This has not only undermined the stability of global energy supply but also led to a severe humanitarian crisis.
Resorting to force will not solve the problem, and an unjust war should not be allowed to continue, he said.
In the face of the critical situation, China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and coordination, firmly uphold the UN Charter and international law, and prevent the world from regressing to the "law of the jungle," Wang said.
He added that the other two top priorities are for the international community to speak with one voice in calling for an immediate ceasefire and to intensify efforts to advance peace talks, and for the United Nations and the UN Security Council to play their due role in facilitating the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
Despite the difficulties, dialogue and negotiation remain the right path out of the crisis, Wang said, adding that China and France should work together toward this end.
For his part, Bonne shared his perspectives on the current situation in the Middle East, including developments in Iran and Lebanon.
He said that France and China, as major countries, both support the United Nations, abide by international law, and advocate resolving differences through dialogue.
He said that the two countries should work together to explore solutions and contribute to easing tensions and resuming negotiations.
France is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China to push for the early achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.
China's top diplomat urges efforts to prevent escalation in Mideast conflict
