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
Macao, one of the world's top places for life expectancy, has dedicated significant efforts to fostering favorable environments for the health and well-being of its elderly population.
In September this year, the government-built senior housing project was completed and officially inaugurated. Designed for elderly individuals capable of independent living, the project integrates cutting-edge elderly care technologies to ensure safety and comfort.
"Why did I choose the senior apartment? It is because I know their equipment is designed for the safety of the elderly, and this is what I need most right now," said Kuan Wai I, a dweller in the facility.
The apartments offer more than just a reliable living environment. They also create a vibrant community for seniors. Kuan, who enjoys playing the saxophone, plans to organize a band and participate in various activities available in the building. In an interview with China Central Television in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China on December 20, 1999, Kuan expressed her enthusiasm for learning, eager to join as many interest classes and activities as possible.
Macao's commitment to elderly care is not limited housing. Initiated in 2009, the "Peng On Tung" Tele-Assistance Service Center provides around-the-clock emergency assistance and daily support services for seniors living alone, aging couples, those with chronic illnesses, and others in need. Even if someone simply wants to talk due to loneliness, they will not be turned away.
"Peng On Tun" is operated by the General Union of Neighborhood Associations of Macao, with strong support from the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. Its affiliated service department, the Yijun Center, not only cares for elderly residents in Macao aged 55 and above with poor health, but also offers lifelong learning opportunities for Macao residents aged 45 and above.
Macao has long prioritized the protection of its elderly and individuals with chronic or severe illnesses. The region offers generous welfare benefits to seniors, including pensions, elderly subsidies, and cash sharing schemes. Permanent residents aged 65 and above are entitled to free preventive care services at public hospitals. Since 2009, the government has also issued annual medical vouchers to all permanent residents, further easing the financial burden of health-care.
Known as the "City of Longevity," Macao's life expectancy reached 83.1 years in 2023, ranking among the top three globally. This achievement is largely attributed to the region's high pension benefits and comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive care and health maintenance.
"Since Macao's return [to the motherland], the life expectancy of Macao residents has increased by five years, and our global ranking has risen from 12th to 3rd. Furthermore, the mortality rates for both newborns and pregnant women have remained exceptionally low," said Lo Iek Long, director of the Health Bureau of the Macao SAR Government.
In Macao, a health center is available for every three square kilometers, offering residents convenient and free medical services.
"We provide entirely free primary-level medical services, based on the concept of family medicine, through our network of health centers," Lo said.
In July this year, the Macao SAR government unveiled the Healthy Macao Blueprint, calling for collective efforts across society to turn Macao into a healthy city by 2030. Its overarching goals include improving health literacy among all residents, promoting healthy lifestyles, controlling major chronic diseases, and continuously enhancing residents' quality of life.
The story above was featured in the third episode of the China Media Group (CMG) documentary, titled "25 Years of Lotus Bond," created to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China.
The series premiered on CCTV-1 at 20:00 Dec 13 and will run until Dec 17, with subsequent broadcasts on CCTV-4 and CCTV-13.
Macao strives to become elder-friendly city to support healthy aging
