CHINA will introduce a raft of measures, such as stimulating purchases of vehicles and household appliances, to boost consumption this year, a commerce ministry official said yesterday. “Automobiles, household appliances and home furnishing are the focus of traditional consumption and are closely related to people’s lives,” Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping told a press conference. China will work to promote vehicle trade-ins this year due to the great demand among people and the potential for replacement, Sheng said. Last year, China’s new car sales exceeded 30 million units for the first time, up 12% year on year. The country’s second-hand car trading volume reached 18.41 million units in 2023, an increase of nearly 15%. Car ownership has reached 340 million in China, ranking first in the world, according to the vice minister. China will also encourage the renovation of old houses and the replacement of home appliances, as part of a package of measures to bolster domestic demand, Sheng added. (Xinhua) | 