Local authorities across China have embraced innovative business practices, blending traditional cultural elements into modern shopping and scenic experiences to boost sales and energize consumer activity during the Dragon Boat Festival.
With over 2,000 years of history, the Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, brings together tradition and modernity. This year's three-day holiday, which began on May 31, saw dragon boat races sparking excitement and boosting consumption nationwide.
Hands-on activities like model-making and the purchase of dragon boat-themed cultural products further enriched the celebrations.This also had a positive impact on local businesses, including rural cafes and homestays, which saw a surge in visitors.
Data showed that as of Monday, travel orders for popular destinations such as Foshan from south China's Guangdong Province, Miluo from central China's Hunan Province, and Jiaxing from east China's Zhejiang Province had nearly doubled compared to the same period last year.
"We have already received 5,000 visitors during the three-day holiday. In the week following the holiday, our bookings are nearly full," said Xian Zhuoheng, director of a travel agency in Foshan.
Meanwhile, activities promoting intangible cultural heritage were held in the main shopping districts of Luohe City, central China's Henan Province. A wide array of heritage-themed products also attracted a large crowd, with foot traffic in shopping districts nearly doubling compared to the same period last year.
"I never expected to see such wonderful performances here. It's really great to watch and experience these traditional crafts up close," said local resident Zhang Mijia.
Dragon Boat Festival drives sales boom in China's shopping districts, scenic spots
China and the European Union (EU) have agreed that it is necessary to provide general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese exporters of passenger battery electric vehicles to the EU, China's commerce ministry said on Monday.
The move aims to address relevant concerns in a more practical, targeted, and consistent manner with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, according to the Ministry of Commerce in a statement.
Accordingly, the European Commission will issue a Guidance Document on Submission of Price Undertaking Offers. In the document, the EU confirms that it will assess each undertaking application under the same legal criteria, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination and relevant WTO rules, in an objective and fair manner.
The progress fully reflects the spirit of dialogue and the outcomes of consultations between China and the EU. It shows that both China and the EU have the ability and willingness to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation within the framework of WTO rules, thereby maintaining the stability of automotive industrial and supply chains in China, the EU, and the whole world. This is conducive not only to ensuring the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations, but also to safeguarding the rules-based international trade order, the statement said.
On the same day, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) also issued a statement welcoming the positive outcome of the consultations.
The CCCME noted that eligible Chinese EV makers may now submit price undertaking applications in accordance with the EU's guidance, and the European Commission has pledged to review all applications objectively, fairly, and under uniform standards.
The proper settlement of this case meets the shared expectations of industries along the EV supply chain in both China and Europe. It will help ensure the security and stability of related industrial and supply chains and safeguard the broader China-EU economic and trade relationship, the CCCME said.
The chamber expressed appreciation for the substantial efforts made by China's Ministry of Commerce in defending the interests of the domestic industry. It also pledged to encourage and support relevant Chinese enterprises in making full use of the consultation outcomes to protect their interests in exporting to the EU and promote healthy cooperation between the industries of both sides.
China, EU agree on price undertaking guidance for Chinese electric vehicle exporters: commerce ministry
