China will take policy steps to boost new types of consumption by supporting new business forms and models, with a view to promoting economic recovery. The State Council executive meeting on Sept 9 led by Premier Li Keqiang also outlined plans to advance medical education with innovation to build a talent pool for protecting people’s health.

Consumption, as a key engine for growth, has been significantly affected by COVID-19 this year and become a drag on economic recovery. However, new forms and models of business based on the internet and digital technologies have generated rapid growth in new types of consumption despite the overall downward trend, and demonstrated enormous potential.

"COVID-19 has made a big impact on consumption," Premier Li said. "For China to achieve positive growth this year, boosting consumption is vitally important. Efforts should be made in line with our own national conditions to expand channels of consumption and stimulate domestic demand."

Those at the meeting agreed that it is important to remove consumption-related bottlenecks to economic growth and encourage market players to embrace innovation, in order to further unleash the potential of domestic demand and inject impetus into economic recovery.

"Consumption growth is mainly driven by the market. And for various reasons, much effort is needed to give a real boost to consumption," Premier Li said.

The meeting urged expanding and upgrading new types of consumption. Zero-touch consumption will be promoted; open online courses and internet diagnosis and treatment will be encouraged; online and offline services in fitness and tourism sectors will be better integrated; new retail forms such as grocery stores with automated check-out systems will be explored; and farm product supply chains that connect farmers directly to retailers will be strengthened.

Infrastructure supporting new consumption types need to be built at a faster pace. CBDs, industrial parks and transportation hubs will be prioritized in planning 5G and Internet of Things networks. A number of Chinese cities will build high-speed broadband. Rural commerce will receive digital upgrading. More smart package lockers and similar terminals will be built and shared. In the meantime, commercial use of consumer data will proceed in a secure and orderly manner.

"During our fight against COVID-19, new types of consumption have achieved rapid growth despite the downward pressure on the economy. From industrial goods to farm produce, and medical services, education, tourism and fitness, new consumption has played a notable role in COVID-19 response and demonstrated strong potential. Given its immediate benefit to the economy and promising prospects, we must make long-term plans for its future development," Premier Li said.

Tax policies that support the growth of new business forms and models will be introduced to boost new types of consumption. Financial institutions will be encouraged to adopt new steps to reduce the cost of mobile payments.

Measures will be taken to extend social security cover to people working in new forms and models of businesses, and strengthen protection for flexible employment. Support will be given to enterprises engaged in "employee sharing".

Traditional consumption will be better leveraged as the mainstay, and new types of consumption will be strengthened. Support will be given to brick-and-mortar companies in opening online businesses and to internet platform companies in offline development. Businesses will be encouraged to carry out online promotion in a bid to boost offline consumption.

"It is all the more important to nurture new growth drivers and promote economic restructuring by leveraging the growth of new consumption based on new forms and models of businesses," Premier Li said.

The reform of government functions will be deepened to streamline the license approval procedures. The approach of accommodating yet prudent regulations will be further applied.

The mechanisms for user rights protection and product tracing will be bolstered, and malpractices such as IPR infringements, selling counterfeit products, cheating, swindling, and leaking private information will be cracked down on in accordance with the law to foster a safe and trusted environment for consumers.

"Greater efforts must be made in transforming government functions to create a more enabling environment for new consumption to survive and thrive. Government authorities must work to enhance network building both online and offline, adopt a prudent yet accommodating regulatory approach, and provide greater support to the growth of these businesses," Premier Li said.