With the roll-out of new measures to boost consumption among both inbound visitors and local residents in China, China Daily officially launched an international communication platform in Shanghai on Saturday to further promote the "Shopping in China" initiative.

Facilitated by the Ministry of Commerce, the platform adopts an integrated communication matrix of "one newspaper, one website, three social media accounts", with content from the newspaper expected to further boost the initiative among overseas readers. The English-language website features six core sections, namely Policy Guide, What They Say, Shopping, Delicacy, Travel and Events.

Social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok are designed to share compelling stories about China's consumer market through visually engaging photos and videos tailored to international audiences.

Unveiled last year, the "Shopping in China" initiative aims to showcase the country's consumption and hospitality landscape and its appeal — spanning premium shopping, dining, tourism and cultural experiences — to a global audience.

China Daily's new move was part of the launching ceremony of the 2026 "Shopping in China" and New Year Consumption Season in Shanghai on Saturday. Speaking at the ceremony, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao highlighted that the 2026 "Shopping in China" campaign will focus on three themes — goods consumption, services consumption and new consumption scenarios.

Wang said the campaign will feature a series of nationwide events, including Premium Consumption Month and an International Consumption Season.

"We will also support provinces in hosting their own locally tailored events and organizing dedicated city-level programs in 15 pilot cities to build internationalized consumption environments," he said.

To broaden the reach of the "Shopping in China" campaign, Liu Weiling, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the platform brings to life the dynamism of China's consumer market with visually rich stories told through photos and videos designed for global audiences.

"The English-language website will highlight must-buy products, distinctive neighborhoods, time-honored brands, culinary specialties and cultural landmarks," said Liu, adding that the platform will strengthen policy interpretation, particularly on topics of keen interest to overseas audiences, such as visa-free transit and tax refunds for departing travelers.

The expansion of domestic demand is set to top China's major economic priorities this year, according to the recent annual Central Economic Work Conference. The tone-setting meeting outlined special initiatives to boost consumption, and the supply of high-quality consumer goods and services is set to be expanded.

In addition to Saturday's event, government officials from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Wuhan, Hubei province and Shenzhen, Guangdong province, announced a series of local activities and consumer-friendly measures tailored for their cities and launched "Spring Festival Consumption Season" initiatives designed to benefit residents and stimulate spending.

At the same time, major Chinese companies, including Trip.com Group, Bailian Group, China UnionPay, Bank of China and China Eastern Airlines, also unveiled supporting measures under the "Shopping in China" initiative in Shanghai. The companies have affirmed their commitment to introduce targeted promotions, improve payment systems and upgrade travel and shopping services for domestic and international consumers.