1. Background
In July 2021, Beijing, alongside five other cities, was granted approval by the State Council of the People's Republic of China to spearhead the construction of an international consumer center city. Over the subsequent two years, Beijing executed national strategic plans and consequentially yielded notable results. The Central Economic Work Conference for 2024 underscored the need to invigorate consumption modes with potential and shift focus from post-pandemic recovery towards sustained expansion of consumption. The importance of nurturing novel consumption patterns while fortifying and expanding traditional ones was also accentuated during the conference. The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China designated 2024 as the "Year of Consumption Promotion". In line with the directives of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the key focus areas are outlined for advancing Beijing's development as an international consumption center city in 2024.
2. Main Content
The efforts to develop Beijing as an international consumption center city in 2024 will prioritize people's aspirations for a better life. Initiatives will pivot around the key themes of "new scenarios, new brands, new structures, new advantages, new markets, and new environments", to ensure meticulous execution of all endeavors.
01 Create New Urban Consumption Scenarios
Four initiatives included:
l Prioritize the development of four international consumption experience zones such as CBD+Sanlitun and the revitalization of 15 traditional commercial districts like Shuangjing.
l Expedite the establishment of benchmark consumption projects. Facilitate the opening of commercial projects like MixC in Xibeiwang, Joy City in Yongfeng, and MixC in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, while accelerating the construction of cultural and tourism projects such as the northern area of the Palace Museum.
l Continue advancing the construction of convenient living circles for residents.
l Innovatively develop integrated consumption scenarios integrating performing arts, sports events, nature, waterfront leisure activities, etc.
02 Foster New Local Consumption Brands
Four initiatives included:
l Encourage the time-honored brands to uphold their legacy while innovating, and promote the clustering of these brands.
l Enhance the incubation of new consumption brands.
l Expand the influence of local brands.
Promote the specialized, upscale, premium, and globalized evolution of "Beijing Gifts".
l Expedite the development of a "Gastronomical City".
Organize events like Beijing International Gourmet Festival.
03 Optimize New Structures of Product Consumption
Four initiatives included:
l Contribute to the prosperity of the first store economy and boost fashion consumption, aiming for the addition of approximately 800 new first stores throughout the year.
l Maintain stability in traditional bulk consumption sectors such as those of automobiles and home furnishings.
l Expand the green and intelligent consumption.
l Support the innovative development of new models like live-streaming e-commerce, and designate the second batch of distinctive live-streaming e-commerce bases.
04 Cultivate new service consumption advantages
Seven initiatives included:
l Expand innovative applications of information consumption.
Promote the establishment of smart business districts, digital museums, etc.
l Uncover connotations of cultural consumption.
Advance the development of a "City of Performing Arts" and "City of Museums".
l Unleash the potential of tourism consumption.
Support attractions like Fragrant Hills Park to vie for accreditation as a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and scenic areas like Beijing WTown, Beijing Expo Park, and Jinhai Lake to become national-level tourist resorts.
l Enhance the vitality of sports consumption.
Actively bid to host top-tier international sporting events in Beijing.
l Elevate the appeal of ice and snow sports consumption.
Foster year-round operations of the Winter Olympic venues and encourage public participation in ice and snow sports.
l Cultivate medical and wellness consumption.
Continually elevate international medical service standards and enhance health culture tourism based on traditional Chinese medicine.
l Promote convention and exhibition-relevant consumption.
Leverage platforms like the China International Fair for Trade in Services to host specialized conventions and exhibitions in tourism, sports, education, and other sectors.
05 Build Interconnected New Markets
Four initiatives included:
l Advance the integration of domestic and international trade.
Ensure consistency in production, standards, and quality across domestic and international trade products.
l Facilitate the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Ensure the successful launch and conclusion of the 2024 National Consumption Promotion Month and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Consumption Season, and develop short-distance cultural tourism offerings in the region through joint efforts.
l Develop new models of outbound and cross-border consumption.
l Strengthen the foundational support system for logistics.
06 Improve a New Environment Marked by Upgraded Consumption Modes
Five initiatives included:
l Foster a vibrant and well-organized environment for activities.
Continuously strengthen the driving force of Beijing Consumption Season as an event and a platform.
l Deepen regulatory innovation.
Advance the integrated comprehensive supervision and the establishment of a credibility environment.
l Optimize approval services.
l Facilitate inbound tourist consumption.
Bolster the development of inbound tourism products and overseas promotion efforts.
l Improve consumer satisfaction.
07 Safeguard Measures
Three initiatives included:
Enhance organizational coordination.
Improve monitoring and assessment.
Ensure effective publicity and promotion.