China's consumer market sees a strong start to the Year of the Horse

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 17, 2026 shows tourists tasting local delicacies on a snack street in Xuan'en County, central China's Hubei Province. During the Spring Festival, lantern decorations across the country created a joyful atmosphere for the holiday. (Photo by Song Wen/Xinhua)

China's consumer market saw a strong start during the country's nine-day Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Feb. 23, with spending surging mainly across six key areas -- dining, accommodation, transportation, tourism, shopping and entertainment, signaling a vibrant beginning to the Year of the Horse.

Chinese authorities rolled out a series of policy measures to unlock consumption potential during the festival holiday, as domestic demand remains a key engine for economic growth. Local governments allocated 2.05 billion yuan (about 295.23 million U.S. dollars) in funds to directly benefit the public through consumption vouchers, subsidies and cash handouts during the holiday.

The Spring Festival, China's most important traditional holiday, is typically a peak season for consumer spending, driven by family reunions, travel, dining, entertainment and gift purchases.