Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

As the popularity of "China Travel" continues to rise, "China Shopping" has recently emerged as another major highlight. Stimulated by policies such as departure tax refunds, inbound consumption has seen a significant boost. Inbound tourists spent a total of $94.2 billion last year, up 77.8 percent from the previous year. In addition, the range of products targeted by "China Shopping" is undergoing an upgrade, with featured cultural and creative products, drones and other innovative items becoming new favorites among foreign tourists. Recently, six Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, jointly introduced a new package of measures aimed at further optimizing the departure tax refund policy and boosting inbound spending. Under the new policy, the minimum purchase threshold for departure tax refunds has been reduced to 200 yuan (about $27.8) from 500 yuan, and the cap for cash refunds has been doubled from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan. The new policy is expected to fuel an even greater "China Shopping" boom.

After the "refund-upon-purchase" policy expanded from pilot programs to nationwide implementation, government departments actively addressed bottlenecks raised by local governments, businesses and inbound travelers, introducing targeted and practical improvement measures in less than a month. These concrete actions represent a warm invitation to global tourists and the latest step toward making China more convenient for foreigners. The new measures have been widely welcomed, making "China Travel" more attractive. Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported that, with the help of initiatives like "refund-upon-purchase," China's inbound tourism market consumption is expected to see a sharp increase during the May Day holidays.

The rise of "China Shopping" is no coincidence. It reflects not only the dividends of favorable policies but also the continuous upgrading of product supply. From traditional silk, tea, and porcelain to smart drones, premium cosmetics, and culturally infused creative products, the wide variety of goods highlights the high quality and diversity of Chinese manufacturing.

Museum derivatives, exemplified by the Palace Museum's cultural and creative products, have won the favor of international visitors with their innovative designs and rich cultural significance. High-tech products like DJI drones have even become new symbols of "bringing home the best of Chinese technology." Retailers across the country are also rapidly upgrading their digital capabilities, blending online and offline channels to provide tourists with a seamless shopping experience.

"China Shopping" is also a key part of China's broader effort to stimulate consumption, becoming a new hallmark of the Chinese economy. The latest policies not only offer real convenience for foreign tourists but also open up new opportunities for boosting the domestic consumer market and promoting Chinese brands.

Compared to global standards, China's inbound consumption accounts for about 0.5 percent of its GDP, whereas in major countries it typically ranges from 1 percent to 3 percent. This gap presents both a challenge and significant potential for growth. At the same time, the upgrading of products favored by foreign consumers shows that "made in China" and "created in China" are once again gaining international recognition. From the significant rise in inbound consumption, to continuous policy improvements, to the evolving structure of product offerings, the "China Shopping" boom vividly demonstrates the strong adaptability and vast potential of the Chinese economy.

"China Shopping" has become a trend that should be viewed against the backdrop of the current surge in trade protectionism and the US abuse of tariffs that are affecting global economic stability. The departure tax refund policy signals China's ongoing efforts to improve the consumption environment and enhance convenience, reflecting China's sustained commitment to expanding its opening-up and increasing its level of internationalization. Clearly, China has chosen the path of open cooperation. Through a more convenient tax refund policy, a richer product structure, and deeper international cooperation, China is injecting stability and impetus into the world economy with greater opening-up and higher-quality development. In this sense, "China Shopping" is not only a grand event for consumers but also a new testament to China's open cooperation with the world. The significance of the optimized departure tax refund policy transcends the economy. It showcases a confident, open, and responsible image of a major power, demonstrating that China has the capability and determination to uphold its development aspirations in a complex environment.

Currently, as the global economy faces turbulent winds and high waves, China - like a massive vessel - is forging ahead with its steadfast commitment to expanding opening-up, the intrinsic momentum of industrial transformation and upgrading, and the unique appeal of its vast market. "China Shopping" is just one part of a broader picture that is unfolding - from the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce to the hosting of the China International Import Expo, from the pilot programs for offshore duty-free shops to the smooth operation of multimodal transport - all of which will provide international buyers with more choices and convenience. In the future, China will continue to optimize its business environment, expand market openness, and enhance the quality of products and services, creating a more convenient and reliable communication platform for global consumers and businesses, while promoting universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization through more two-way engagements.