China's retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country's consumption strength, expanded 3.4 percent year on year in August, official data showed Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Fu Linghui, a spokesman of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said the market sales have grown steadily in August.
"In August, the retail sales of consumer goods reached 3,966.8 billion yuan (about 557.04 billion U.S. dollars), increasing by 3.4 percent year on year and 0.17 percent month on month. Grouped by the location of business units, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas reached 3,438.7 billion yuan, increasing by 3.2 percent year on year, while retail sales in rural areas reached 528.1 billion yuan, increasing by 4.6 percent. Grouped by consumption patterns, the retail sales of goods reached 3,517.2 billion yuan, increasing by 3.6 percent year on year, and the catering revenue reached 449.6 billion yuan, increasing by 2.1 percent," said Fu.
The spokesman highlighted expanding domestic demand in the country, citing steady growth across consumption and investment.
"Domestic demand continues to expand. In terms of consumption, in August, the retail sales of consumer goods increased by 3.4 percent year on year, with sales of goods related to trade-in programs maintaining rapid growth. The potential for service consumption is also steadily being unleashed, with such sectors as tourism and leisure, performances and competitions, as well as information and communications being quite active. In the first eight months, the retail sales of service sector grew by 5.1 percent year on year, outpacing the growth rate of the retail sales of consumer goods. In terms of investment, from January to August, the investment in fixed assets increased by 0.5 percent year on year, with investment in manufacturing industry rising by 5.1 percent, significantly faster than overall investment, providing strong support for manufacturing upgrades and development," said the spokesman.
China's retail sales up 3.4 pct in August
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
