AI products popular among Chinese Spring Festival shoppers

More shoppers during this year's Spring Festival are spending on AI products, and the technology adds futuristic touches to festive activities in many cities.

In Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei, one of the world's largest electronics markets, AI- and AR-powered devices have become the hottest commodities for holiday shoppers.

Data from the past two months reveal that AI glasses, toys, and watches, alongside robots and drones, dominate the festival market and are bought both as gifts and for personal use.

"There are many varieties of AI translators and AI dog toys, all quite interesting and practical," said Zhang, a local consumer.

"We think AI products available now are quite good, and we're trying to select an AI watch for our parents," said Ren, another consumer.

During the Spring Festival season, overall tech product sales in Huaqiangbei have surged more than 30 percent compared to regular days. AI glasses have seen an explosive 80 percent increase in sales, while drones and robots have each jumped by 50 percent. The electronic market has also become a magnet for international visitors, with foreign tourists and merchant numbers nearly doubling year-over-year.

"I bought some AI glasses. It's easier - when we come here, it can help with translating," said a tourist from New Zealand.

"My first time experiencing the Chinese New Year in China. I really like it. AI is in everything right now. So many new things are being automated this year," said an Iranian tourist.

AI technology is also being incorporated into holiday celebrations. In Wuzhen, a historic water town in east China's Zhejiang Province, interactive robots and AI-powered light shows offered visitors a fresh travel experience.

"I feel a strong New Year vibe, and quite a contrast because the common impression of Wuzhen is a traditional southern water town. I didn't expect technology to blend in so naturally. It’s very festive with a strong tech vibe," said Gao Jiajia, a tourist from the neighboring Jiangsu Province.

AI products popular among Chinese Spring Festival shoppers

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wrote a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, demanding him refund the state 8.68 billion U.S. dollars after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the president's sweeping tariffs illegal.

In the letter, Pritzker said on behalf of the residents of Illinois, he demanded a refund of 1,700 U.S. dollars for every family in the state. There are 5,105,448 households in Illinois.

Pritzker posted the related bill on social media and said "cut the check."

In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States said that the tariff policies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional, officially striking down the global tariffs Trump has introduced since April 2025.

The justices ruled that the president did not have the authority under IEEPA to impose import tariffs on goods from nearly all the U.S. trading partners.

Illinois governor demands 8.68 bln dollars tariff refunds from Trump