China’s consumer spending remained strong during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, from Feb 11 to 17, with steady growth from a year earlier, according to data from the State Taxation Administration.

As many people working in big cities stayed put to help curb the spread of COVID-19, local consumer spending soared, rising 44.2 percent, 32 percent and 31.1 percent year-on-year in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province, respectively.

During the period, sales revenue in the wholesale and retail sectors increased 27.9 percent year-on-year, and in the culture, sports and recreation sector it grew 117.1 percent, according to statistics.

Ongoing postal and express delivery services, jumping by 43.7 percent during the holiday, gave a boost to commodity purchases.

The holiday also saw the catering sector recover to normal levels before the epidemic, with sales income up 358.4 percent year-on-year, and food delivery services reporting a growth rate of 148.7 percent.

Tax departments in various regions remained open over the holiday, the administration said.