China's equipment trade-in subsidy policy introduced earlier this year has played a significant role in encouraging consumers to purchase smarter and more energy-efficient products, particularly home appliances.
China's State Council released an action plan in March to initiate large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods -- nearly 15 years since the last such round of renewals.
This policy, part of the Chinese government's green transition strategy, aims to encourage consumers to choose energy-efficient products.
During this year's Double Twelve (December 12) shopping festival, massive discounts coupled with the government's trade-in subsidy policy, have motivated many people to upgrade their home appliances.
"[We've come here] because we heard about the government subsidies. [The appliances] at home are old, so [we've decided] to replace them with new ones," said a resident.
"[I prefer purchasing home appliances] from physical stores. I just like to see the actual products -- things I can see and touch. And I don't want to buy [these kinds of items] online," said another resident.
Again in the second half of this year, the Chinese government introduced a trade-in policy allowing consumers to trade in old home appliances for new ones, offering subsidies for eight categories of products, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, as of December 7, nearly 3 million customers have purchased related products, driving sales to more than 200 billion yuan (about 27.5 billion U.S. dollars).
The greener and more energy-efficient the home appliances are, the greater discount consumers will enjoy. Besides, Jiangsu Province in east China's and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China have expanded the subsidy policy to include 3C digital products, such as computers and mobile phones.
"So far, nearly 300,000 residents in Beijing have already obtained eligibility for the country's trade-in subsidies through the Beijing Suning.com channel. In December, we anticipate that with the support of government subsidies and Suning's own discount and subsidy incentives, sales are expected to achieve a year-on-year growth of over 300 percent," said Wang Zhaotong, director of the Suning Consumer Electronics Sales and Procurement in Beijing.
With the continuous development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, more and more consumers are willing to upgrade their home appliances to live a smarter life.
China's trade-in subsidy policy boosts home appliance sales
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
