China's digital consumption makes up nearly half of household spending in H1: report

In the first half of 2025, digital consumption reached 9.37 trillion yuan (about 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in China, accounting for 46.5 percent of total household consumer spending, according to a recent report.

According to the report on digital consumption for 2025 released by the China Internet Network Information Center, China had more than 958 million digital consumers by June, taking up 85.3 percent of all internet users.

Online consumption is no longer confined to the young or urban. Generation Z accounts for 27.2 percent of digital consumers, while people aged 60 and above make up 12.2 percent. Rural users, at 26 percent, now participate in online subsidy programs at rates comparable to their urban counterparts.

A wide range of digital consumers across different age groups and regions has laid the groundwork for a diverse digital consumption market.

According to the report, emerging business models such as digital marketplaces and smart communities are accelerating the integration of virtual and physical shopping experiences.

For instance, in a commercial area in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, cutting-edge technology products like AI glasses and 3D printers are showcased, attracting those who want to have a hands-on experience of something smart and novel.

"I feel it quite novel. I've seen some 3D printers online but have never used one. It's fascinating to witness the entire workflow in person," said a customer.

Currently, consumers are willing to pay for novel experience. In a VR experience center in Nanchang City of east China's Jiangxi Province, residents are flocking to immerse themselves in virtual scenarios.

"I just tried jungle bungee jumping. VR technology has transformed our lives, helping us gain a better understanding of the world," said a customer.

Digital travel, transport and cultural services generated over one trillion yuan in spending, as did food delivery while spending on digital public services, including online healthcare, education and home services, exceeded 500 billion yuan, according to the report.

The report is based on the results of a telephone sampling survey of 30,000 residents across 31 provincial-level regions.

China's digital consumption makes up nearly half of household spending in H1: report

China's digital consumption makes up nearly half of household spending in H1: report

About 400 cultural relics from two Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) shipwrecks are on display at the Grand Canal Museum in Beijing for the first time.

Loaned from South China Sea Museum in south China's Hainan Province, the 370 pieces are from shipwrecks on the northwest slope of the South China Sea. The first ship's artifacts are mainly ceramics, while the second's include logs, snail shells and antlers.

Xin Lixue, director of the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, said this is the first time these cultural relics have been displayed outside the South China Sea Museum.

"I'm also very excited that these cultural relics can be displayed in the capital, Beijing. I think this is to present to everyone the best things we have salvaged so far, so they can fully understand the splendid culture of our ancient Maritime Silk Road. Today's people can also expand international exchanges and jointly promote the development of all our ethnic groups," said Xin.

Dating back approximately 500 years, these merchant ships sank to a depth of about 1,500 meters during a voyage along the Maritime Silk Road. This marks the first discovery of merchant vessels from the early sixteenth century that had set sail and were returning.

In addition to the abundant relics, the exhibition uses dynamic lighting and sound to recreate a virtual underwater world, showcasing the deep-sea environment and the advanced technology behind deep-sea archaeology.

The exhibition will run through March 15 next year.

Deep-sea archaeological exhibition in Beijing displays relics recovered from shipwreck