China's nationwide consumer goods trade-in programs have yielded remarkable results, with the sales so far topping 720 billion yuan (98.7 billion U.S. dollars), Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said on Monday.
Facing the current complex and severe international environment, vigorously boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand in all aspects is of special significance, said Sheng, adding that the government will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the trade-in policies for consumer goods so as to enable consumers to fully enjoy the policy benefits.
"By the end of Sunday, the nationwide trade-ins had covered 2.814 million vehicles, 49.416 million units of 12 types of home appliances, 37.855 million digital products such as smartphones, 40.906 million units of home decoration and kitchenware and bathroom ware, as well as over 4.2 million electric bicycles. The combined sales generated from the trade-in programs had exceeded 720 billion yuan (98.7 billion U.S. dollars)," he said at a press conference in Beijing.
March 2024 saw the launch of an action plan to promote large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods, as part of efforts to boost domestic demand and support economic growth. At the Central Economic Work Conference in early December last year, the country's policymakers highlighted the need to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand on all fronts. China has also launched several rounds of activities to expand the trade-in programs in 2025.
China's consumer goods trade-in programs drive sales of over 720 bln yuan
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
