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China's Spring Festival spending spree fuels global business growth(Xinhua) 08:04, February 11, 2025
BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- On a balmy afternoon on the first day of the Chinese Spring Festival, a queue of nearly 40 people, over half of them being Chinese tourists, snaked around the plain ice cream stall of "Uncle Chieng" on Orchard Road, Singapore.
"Recently, more than half of the customers are Chinese tourists. Around the Spring Festival, I sell about 20 percent more ice cream each day compared to usual," said Chieng Puay Chui, owner of the stall, which has become one of the must-visit spots for Chinese tourists.
This scene is just a microcosm of the vibrant Spring Festival celebrations that have swept China and beyond, the first Lunar New Year festivities after the Spring Festival was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.
The festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year, with week-long nationwide celebrations around the date, has not only ignited a surge in domestic consumption but also created vast opportunities for international businesses, as Chinese consumers embrace global goods and cultures.
A girl participates in activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
GLOBAL GOODS, LOCAL CELEBRATIONS
The Spring Festival, a time for family reunion and feasting, has seen a growing appetite for "foreign New Year goods" among Chinese consumers. From French wine to Chilean cherries, global delicacies have become essential elements of the Chinese New Year shopping list.
France's Occitanie region, renowned for its wine, has been actively promoting its produce in China through platforms like the China International Import Expo and the "From French Farms to Chinese Tables" initiative. For French wine producers, the Spring Festival is one of the best opportunities to promote their products.
"Ahead of the Chinese New Year, we organized various events to support wine producers from the Occitanie region and importers in distributing their products so that they would be available during the Spring Festival," said Catherine Machabert, food and wine international director of the economic development agency of the Occitanie Region.
"For the Year of the Snake, distributors have prepared a variety of gift boxes featuring snake-themed designs to promote the wines," said Machabert, adding that Occitanie has always maintained strong ties with China and recognizes the importance of the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, French confectionery giant Andros has capitalized on the festive season by launching special gift packs and organizing in-store tastings. "Our sales during this Spring Festival are expected to double compared to previous years, setting a new record," said Maxence Zeng, general manager of Andros China.
Chilean cherries, with their vibrant red hue and symbolic association with prosperity in the Chinese culture, have also become a favorite among Chinese consumers.
China is a very important market for fresh Chilean cherries, not only because it receives more than 90 percent of total exports, "but also because of the friendly relationship that has been built between our cherries and the people of China," said Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee.
A poster of the animated feature "Ne Zha 2" is pictured at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Feb. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
TWO-WAY CULTURAL EXCHANGES
The Spring Festival is not just about shopping and feasting; it's also a time for travel and cultural exploration. With extended holidays and visa-free policies, Chinese tourists have been flocking to international destinations, while foreign visitors have been arriving in China to experience the festivities firsthand.
On the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Chinese tourists Li Chenguang and his wife, Zhao Xue, marveled at the natural beauty surrounding them. "We can witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and even the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro," Zhao exclaimed with excitement.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport has been bustling as Chinese tourists head to Malaysia for tropical experiences and Malaysian travelers embark on winter adventures in China. "We're planning to visit Harbin, hike up Changbai Mountain and savor traditional northeastern dishes like Guo Bao Rou (crispy sweet and sour pork)," said Zhou Jinglang, a tour guide of a Malaysian travel agency.
According to the National Immigration Administration, China recorded 14.37 million cross-border trips during the Spring Festival holiday season, a 6.3 percent increase from a year earlier. About 1 million of these trips were made by foreign nationals, marking a 22.9 percent year-on-year rise.
