China's Ministry of Commerce, together with relevant departments, will strengthen coordination to ensure the effective implementation of recently unveiled policy measures on promoting green development, said Sheng Qiuping, vice minister of commerce, at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

Sheng made the remarks after the Ministry of Commerce and eight other government departments released a nationwide action plan on Monday aimed at advancing green consumption. The plan outlines 20 policy measures across seven key areas to strengthen incentives for green consumption.

On Jan. 6, 2026, the State Council Information Office holds a press conference in Beijing on promoting green consumption. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

The plan outlines measures for strengthening the foundation for green consumption. Besides fostering environmentally friendly businesses, China will also participate in the formulation of global rules, promoting alignment between key standards in China's green consumption sector and international standards, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation in standardization and conformity assessment, according to the plan.

The service sector will be a focus for promoting green consumption, according to the plan. In advancing green catering, efforts will be made to urge catering service enterprises and food delivery platforms to comply with relevant laws and regulations, guide catering businesses in implementing standards for green catering, and encourage them to consciously embrace the concept of green development.

To promote green accommodation, measures will include encouraging the use of non-toxic, water-saving, and degradable cleaning agents, in-room amenities, and fabric slippers, providing large-size or refillable toiletries, and refraining from proactively offering single-use plastic items.

And for advancing green domestic services, environmentally friendly household service supplies will be promoted, and the use of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products will be encouraged.

Customers shop for electric bicycles in Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, March 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Sheng said that the Ministry of Commerce will establish a sound and effective incentive mechanism to implement the green consumption promotion initiative.

The ministry will step up policy support for green consumption. Specifically, it will work together with the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments to further leverage the consumer goods trade-in program to boost the supply of green products. At the same time, it will advance pilot programs that integrate green consumption with new forms, models, and scenarios of consumption, as well as into the effort to develop a globally accessible consumer environment, Sheng said.

Meanwhile, a point-based incentive system for green consumption will be established. The ministry will support industry associations in exploring the creation of such a system that can be used both online and offline, guide retail companies, e-commerce platforms, and others to standardize points collection, and encourage consumers to earn points by purchasing green products and using low-carbon services, which can then be redeemed for discounts on goods or services.

In addition, the ministry will help foster nationwide awareness of green consumption. It will guide relevant associations in carrying out public welfare activities related to green consumption, encourage platform companies to promote such initiatives, and engage businesses and consumers in actively participating in energy-saving and emissions-reduction practices.