High-end smart products are driving a new wave of consumer demand during China's eight-day combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, which kicked off on Wednesday.
Once the stuff of science fiction, like stringless guitars that produce rich chords and AI-powered glasses that act as real-time translators, are now becoming everyday companions for Chinese consumers.
In Nantou Ancient City in the southern metropolis Shenzhen, a store dedicated to selling cutting-edge, futuristic gadgets is teeming with shoppers eager to experience the latest innovations firsthand.
"I really want to try those real-time translation glasses and the flying cameras. Seeing so many domestically made tech products fills me with pride," said Chen Peiyao, a customer browsing the store.
The store's manager said that they offer nearly 2,000 kinds of products from over 300 brands. Since its opening in 2022, booming customer traffic and an expanding product lineup quickly outgrew their original space, prompting a move just one year later into a spacious new 2,000-square-meter flagship location.
In Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a dedicated smart home experience center has drawn flocks of visitors.
Its five floors have been transformed into real living environments, complete with living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and balconies, allowing customers to shift from traditional "shopping for products" to immersive "living in the scene" experiences.
"For example, as soon as you walk in, the lights turn on and the curtains automatically close. It's really something that creates a mood," said Chen Xu, a visitor.
For those captivated by a particular setup, the center offers fully customized solutions that integrate interior design, furniture, and smart appliances.
"As people's quality of life keeps improving, standalone products no longer meet their needs. Our showroom is built around real-life scenarios. Since opening on April 19, we've already attracted 1,041 potential customers," said Wu Qinhui, manager of the smart home experience center.
High-end smart techs fuel holiday shopping in China
Political figures across Japan have strongly denounced Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks after she hinted at the possibility of military involvement in the Taiwan Strait.
Critics expressed concerns over the legal basis, policy logic, and potential regional security risks stemming from her statements, which they said will exacerbate tensions in Japan-China relations.
Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito said that although Takaichi acknowledged in the Diet that her remarks do not necessarily reflect the government's unified view, they nonetheless undermine the foundation of national policy.
He emphasized that any statement by the prime minister's in the Diet should not violate national policies, adding that the remarks carry serious influence and must be corrected.
Three former prime ministers Shigeru Ishiba, Yoshihiko Noda and Yukio Hatoyama have also criticized Takaichi's comments.
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Policy Commission Chair Taku Yamazoe said on Friday that to prevent the deterioration of Japan-China relations, Takaichi should retract her erroneous statements.
Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party, said that Takaichi's remarks were entirely irrational, stressing that Japanese society must work to prevent war and halt this dangerous policy.
Yoichi Iha, former mayor of Ginowan City in Okinawa Prefecture and current senator, warned that Takaichi's statements could lead to significant casualties for Japan's Self-Defense Force. He said that Japan's recent military buildup has been increasingly aligned with U.S. strategic frameworks, and that it is vital for Japan to break free from this trajectory.
Ukeru Magosaki, a former Japanese foreign ministry official said that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and Japan must honor its political commitments regarding Taiwan.
"In 1972, China and Japan jointly issued a statement that clearly stated Japan recognized and respected the position that 'Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.' Regrettably, Takaichi is now ignoring this commitment made by Japan to China, and this is the biggest problem," he said.
Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan draw wide criticism from Japanese political figures
