China's new digital consumption thrives in Jan-July period

China's digital consumption experienced remarkable growth in the first seven months of 2025, fueled by advancements in digital infrastructure such as 5G and artificial intelligence, alongside the expansion of diverse consumer scenarios.

Nationwide, over 300,000 digital classrooms have been established, equipping elderly people with essential skills to use AI for checking information, preventing fraud, and recording stories.

With the deep integration of new-generation information technologies such as 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things in the elderly care sector, revenue from smart elderly care technology services and the manufacturing of smart and wearable devices for seniors increased by 33.7 percent and 32.6 percent, respectively, in the first half of the year.

Additionally, digital consumption scenarios continue to expand, with new products like smartphones, smart home devices, and AI glasses gaining traction.

In July, the added value of smart drone manufacturing and smart vehicle equipment manufacturing increased year on year by 80.8 percent and 21 percent, respectively, while civilian drone production grew by 18.9 percent on a yearly basis, further expanding the digital consumption landscape.

Emerging models of digital consumption are also flourishing, with data indicating that mobile internet traffic has achieved double-digit growth for six consecutive months. In the first seven months of 2025, both instant retail and live e-commerce transaction volumes experienced double-digit growth across various sectors, including food, beauty, pharmaceuticals, and travel, closely aligning with evolving consumer demands.

"Digital consumption is deeply integrated into people's everyday life, enhancing their consumer experience and driving industrial upgrades. It has become a new driving force for expanding domestic demand and promoting high-quality economic development," said Chen Lifeng, research director at the Market Economy Research Institute of the Development Research Center under the State Council.

China's new digital consumption thrives in Jan-July period

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM