China saw a steady consumption growth in the first three quarters this year, supported by consumption-boosting policies and new consumption channels.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China's retail sales of consumer goods went up 4.5 percent year on year in the first three quarters of 2025, totaling 36.5877 trillion yuan (about 5.16 trillion U.S. dollars). The growth rate was 1.2 percentage points higher than that during the same period last year.
From January to September, retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas rose 4.4 percent year on year, while retail sales in rural areas expanded 4.6 percent year on year.
"The per capita disposable income of rural residents increased by six percent in the first three quarters, 1.5-percentage point higher than that of urban residents and also higher than the national average. Supported by this income growth, rural consumer demand is steadily being unleashed," said Zou Yunhan, deputy director of the macroeconomic research office at the State Information Center of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Online retail sales climbed 9.8 percent from the previous year in the first nine months, edging up 0.2 percentage points from the Jan-Aug growth rate, the official data showed.
Green consumption also saw robust growth, led by strong sales of high-efficiency home appliances.
The wide application of "artificial intelligence + consumption" and new technologies help drive demand and support industrial upgrades, according to Zou.
"In the first three quarters, China's consumption showed a steady and robust upward trend. Ongoing policy incentives, accelerated innovation in business models, and new formats have further boosted consumer enthusiasm, and also driven continued transformation and upgrading on the production side. These have better met public demand for high-quality and diversified consumption, injecting strong momentum into our economic growth," said Zou.
China's retail sales up 4.5 pct in first three quarters
A large number of international guests have been drawn to Ninghai County in east China's Zhejiang Province, immersing themselves in the culture of its villages and enjoying warm welcomes from local people eager to share their traditional practices.
Recently, a traditional long-table banquet was held in the county's Qiantong Ancient Town, an exceptionally well-preserved town built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
Given the rising popularity of rural tourism in China, it was no surprise that the 300 tickets for the event sold out within a few minutes. However, local organizers had not expected the event to bring so many guests from overseas to the 200-meter-long table.
"I especially like the tall (long) table, it's actually a new experience for me," said an international visitor.
"The atmosphere here is lively and I really like it. The dishes arrived still hot, crispy and delicious," said another overseas guest.
Inspired by the stories of Xu Xiake, an explorer and travel writer from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), more than 100 overseas students also visited old villages in the county, where they learned traditional crafting techniques like paper cutting.
"I can experience traditional culture and I also like that in this village. There are some old traditional things," said an overseas student.
"This place is so beautiful, with many delicious foods," another student said.
The students also learned to make a kind of traditional dessert that symbolizes good wishes for longevity.
"It's my first time to see it. It's very interesting. I want to learn new things," said one of the students.
"I feel really amazed there, really happy. I was really enjoying this experience to do it," said another.
Local people were more than willing to share these ancient practices with young people from around the world.
"Through hands-on experience, our foreign friends can more easily understand our traditional culture. Our communication like this is more sincere and unforgettable," said Liang Lanlan, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
Traditional culture in east China county draws international guests
