This year's national service consumption season was launched on Monday in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang in east China, marking a key effort to accelerate growth in the service sector.
Jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and China Media Group, the initiative seeks to enhance high-quality living, and diversify consumer demands as China's consumption structure continues to upgrade this year, with service consumption maintaining robust growth.
Over 160 specialized activities will be held throughout the year to cultivate a comprehensive, multi-layered service consumption promotion system that brings services closer to consumers, updates consumption scenarios, and provides more affordability, further unlocking the potential of service-driven growth.
For the first time, a dedicated service consumption theme zone is introduced, featuring 320 market stalls and over 10,000 square meters of outdoor space. Visitors could enjoy local delicacies while experiencing the latest products, achievements, and innovative experiences in service consumption.
Service consumption season launched in Hangzhou
Service consumption season launched in Hangzhou
Saudi Arabia has pledged 150 million U.S. dollars in oil derivatives to Yemen, a lifeline aimed at powering hospitals and businesses, easing foreign-currency strain, and stabilizing an economy battered by power outages and import dependence.
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen posted on May 27 on X that the support is intended to cover the operational needs of diesel and mazut for power stations across various Yemeni governorates.
The program said the support aims to enhance the stability of the electricity system, improve the continuity of basic services, and ease the suffering of Yemenis, thereby strengthening vital services and supporting economic and development activities in Yemen.
With summer temperatures soaring and prolonged power outages threatening civilian life, public hospitals and small businesses, this timely intervention is seen as a critical measure to ease the country's worsening humanitarian and food security challenges.
"We're receiving assistance that complement previous grants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The assistance this time consists of petroleum materials covering the needs of 27 power plants in the liberated regions. This will address a significant deficit in the electricity sector," said Abdullah Hager, deputy minister of electricity of Yemen.
The Saudi support is also aimed at safeguarding Yemen's food security, as it is expected to help maintain the "cold chain" refrigeration systems essential for preserving perishable food supplies and critical medicines.
Without reliable electricity, these goods can spoil quickly in extreme heat. The resulting losses often force traders to increase prices on remaining stock, further driving up costs for consumers already struggling amid a severe humanitarian crisis.
"Everyone complains about electricity crisis. Electricity is a basic necessity. People are suffering from diseases, some even die. Electricity is a basic necessity, the very core of life. There is no one who does not need electricity. The whole world is progressing with electricity, and we are going backwards," said Taha Al-Sabri, a resident in Aden.
The assistance from Saudi Arabia can also help stabilize the Yemeni rial by reducing the government's reliance on foreign currency reserves to finance fuel imports -- which is particularly important in a country that imports around 90 percent of its food.
Established in 2018, the program operates under a comprehensive development agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Saudi Arabia pledges 150 mln USD to help Yemen ease power shortage
