People's Daily Online:

We have noticed that recently, the MIIT released the first batch of China's top consumer brands. What positive role has this played in strengthening the supply of high-quality consumer goods and meeting consumer demands? In this regard, the government work report clearly proposed to vigorously boost consumption and comprehensively expand domestic demand. What are the next steps the MIIT is considering in terms of boosting consumption? Thank you.

Xie Shaofeng:

Thank you for your questions. I would like to invite Ms. Tao to answer them.

Tao Qing:

Thank you for your questions. The consumer goods industry accounts for more than one-quarter of total industrial output, serving as an important support for stable industrial operations. In the first quarter, value-added output of consumer goods enterprises above designated size increased 5.2% year on year, up 0.7 percentage point compared to the whole of last year. From January to February, the profit margin of consumer goods enterprises above designated size rose 0.1 percentage point compared to the whole of last year, with the industry's overall development trend remaining stable with positive momentum.

Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Special Action Plan for Boosting Consumption, which clearly proposes building a matrix of renowned Chinese consumer brands. This represents an important measure to increase high-quality supply and enhance consumption quality. The MIIT has been actively implementing this plan and recently released its first batch of renowned Chinese consumer brands, including 93 corporate brands and 43 regional brands. The corporate brand selection focuses on technological innovation and market orientation, with value assessed from multiple dimensions, including product innovation, market competitiveness, brand influence, and cultural empowerment capabilities. The selection includes 11 century-spanning heritage brands, 75 internationally leading contemporary brands, and seven trendy new consumer brands, providing authoritative guidance for consumers in selecting quality products. The regional brand selection focuses on local specialty industries, with brands distributed across 25 provinces nationwide. For example, according to personal preference, you can add a bit of Zhenjiang vinegar to Lanzhou beef noodles, pair it with a cup of Yihong Gongfu tea or Ningxia goji berry water, and enjoy the premium experience that quality brand products deliver.

Looking ahead, the MIIT will resolutely implement the CPC Central Committee and the State Council's decisions and arrangements for boosting consumption, strengthen interdepartmental coordination, accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, and better meet the public's multi-level and diversified consumption needs. We will also focus on upgrades across three areas. First, we will promote industrial upgrading on the supply side by releasing and implementing digital transformation plans for key industries, continuously advancing key projects for equipment renewal and technological transformation in key areas, and systematically carrying out the construction of Chinese consumer brand lineups. We will also organize consumer brand conferences to lead and create consumer demand through quality supply. Second, we will promote quality improvement on the consumption side by intensifying the expansion of consumer goods trade-in programs, continuously releasing and upgrading guides for innovative consumer goods, and recommending model cases of "AI + consumption." We will also actively create new consumption models and scenarios to effectively promote consumer market quality and expansion. Third, we will create a sound environment for boosting consumption by organizing promotional activities such as the "National Tour of Popular Consumer Brands," textile and apparel campaigns like "Better Supply, Better Upgrade," and food-themed events like "Foodie Season." In coordination with relevant departments, we will strengthen product quality supervision to create a sound consumer market environment, enhance public trust, recognition, and satisfaction, and lay a solid foundation for promoting steady economic recovery. Thank you.