Nation to further boost consumption

China will expand brick-and-mortar and virtual shopping infrastructure to enhance the quality of products and services this year, and reduce or remove import tariffs on certain consumer products to facilitate the transition, senior commerce officials said.

Wang Bingnan, vice-minister of commerce, said the government will adopt a combination of measures to stimulate domestic consumption capacity, including creating new forms of brick-and-mortar and online shopping, and improving logistics facilities in China's rural areas.

In addition to reducing tariffs on foreign goods such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and wine, Wang said one of the major tasks for the ministry is to renovate the vitality of China's pedestrian streets this year.