The booming "Spring economy" in China is seeing a continuous rise as temperature gets warmer, further encouraging an increasing slew of outdoor sport fans to travel out and boosting sales at outdoor gear stores across the country.
As Beijing welcomes an earlier blooming season, the city's residents are enthusiastically touring to enjoy the enchanting springtime landscapes.
Many outdoor sports fans said that after waiting for a whole winter, they finally have the opportunity to embrace nature and they have bought themselves new gear for the coming warm season.
"To get ready for the spring outings, I've picked up four new outfits and two new pairs of shoes," said a resident.
The Spring tourists also included Hanfu fans, who said they are taking advantage of the warm weather and good sunshine to take some souvenir photos.
"I've just bought a new Hanfu outfit along with a matching umbrella and a purse designed in traditional Chinese style," said another tourist.
Apart from sightseeing, consumers are also upgrading their adventure gear in Beijing's outdoor gear retail stores, where goods from high-performance hiking poles to various camping necessities are enthusiastically sought after.
"With the weather warming up, I'm excited to plan a camping trip with friends. I've already picked up a picnic mat and a cooler, so now all I need to do is choose the perfect tent," said a customer.
Store managers said that as they see growing demands of some star products, they are optimistic about the sales in the following months as temperature continues to rise.
"High-demand hiking items are currently outpacing supply. Additionally, consumer demand is becoming more diversified, with a notable rise in family-oriented purchases. We anticipate that our outdoor gear sales will experience a substantial boom between April and May this year," said Yang Yang, operating manager at Decathlon Beijing Changying store.
Nationwide, China's vibrant spring blossoms have been drawing tourists and boosting the country's tourism economy.
"Flower viewing" trips have sparked an early start of the spring tourism season, with online travel platforms reporting a 220-percent surge in related searches compared to the same period last year.
In Beijing, the orders for spring tours increased by 114 percent year on year, with flower-viewing destinations such as the Summer Palace enjoying great popularity.
China sees booming "Spring economy" as temperature rises
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
