Shanghai fascinates consumers with brand launches, festive activities

Shanghai, China's financial hub, also one of the country's international consumption center cities, has been captivating tourists and consumers with numerous international brand launches and a vibrant array of festive activities during the Spring Festival.

During the holiday, many brands made their debut in Shanghai. Among them, a world-renowned jewelry brand launched its first exhibition of 2025 in the city, fascinating visitors with novel virtual reality (VR) experience.

"I like it very, very much -- the VR experience, because it's very, very impressive," said Macro, an Italian tourist.

An Italian ice cream brand with a 130-year history has also chosen Shanghai for its maiden store in China.

"Here are a lot of international brands that we already knew, but there's a few that we don't know, and I think that is nice they are mixing much," said Marion, a French tourist.

Shanghai has hosted over 100 events showcasing first exhibitions and launches during the holiday.

The city has also built new cultural and tourism facilities to attract tourists and boost consumer spending.

At the Shanghai Yaoxue Ice and Snow Park, the world's largest indoor ski resort that opened last year, various facilities are dressed up in vibrant Spring Festival costumes, creating a dream world for visitors.

"The 2025 Spring Festival marks our first Chinese New Year, and we anticipate receiving 5,000 to 6,000 visits each day during the holiday," said Zhu Shengyao, the park's deputy general manager.

During the holiday, spectacular dragon and lion dances took place on the streets of Shanghai, immersing foreign tourists in a strong festive atmosphere.

"It's a city that is so modern than usual, so I appreciate the cultural values that have been here for thousands of years," said Jarek, a Polish tourist.

China's five international consumption center cities, namely Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing, recorded a total of 10 million visits to their business districts in the three days leading up to the Spring Festival, a 15 percent increase year on year, according to industry data.

Among them, Chongqing, Beijing and Tianjin saw the most significant increases, up 25 percent, 18 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, fell on Jan 29 this year, marking the first day of the Year of the Snake, the sixth in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese calendar.

In 2025, the Spring Festival holiday lasts eight days from Jan 28 to Feb 4.

Shanghai fascinates consumers with brand launches, festive activities

Shanghai fascinates consumers with brand launches, festive activities

Fears of a renewed conflict loom large among Gaza residents who are now struggling with a rapid rise in the prices of flour and vegetables following Israel's move to block humanitarian aid to Gaza since early Sunday.

Concerns are rising as negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza have stagnated after the first phase came to an end on Saturday. Israel has demanded a demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and an end to Hamas' rule in order to move on to the next phase of the ceasefire deal that took effect in January.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the decision to block the aid aims to pressure Hamas into accepting a new proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, which he said was put forth by a U.S. envoy.

Amid the uncertainty, Gaza residents are now calling for international intervention to prevent further disaster in the region, with many stressing it is essential that aid be allowed to reach the war-torn enclave.

"People are terrified of a renewed war and the interruption of aid because most of our essential needs rely on humanitarian assistance. With Gaza under prolonged siege, the limited humanitarian aid during the first phase of the ceasefire has now dwindled further. We hope that war does not reignite, and we urge Netanyahu to reconsider the decision to close border crossings," said Alaa Nasrallah, a local resident.

"Many fear that another war could break out in Gaza. We cannot endure another war or any similar event. We appeal to the international community, all nations, especially Arab and Islamic countries, to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the ceasefire agreement negotiations and proceed to the agreed-upon second phase," said Mohamed Ghamry, another resident.

"Nearly everyone's livelihood depends on aid supplies. We no longer want to witness the outbreak of war because war represents the most challenging times for all of us. Many children and women have perished in past conflicts," said another resident named Hatem Daroul.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023 had risen to 48,405, with another 111,835 injuries, according to a statement released by the Gaza-based health authorities on Tuesday.

Humanitarian crisis escalating in Gaza as fears of renewed conflict rise