Reference News Network, December 1 report: Brazil's 247 News on November 29 published an article titled "All the Tourists in the World, Unite and Go Shop in China," written by Fernando Capotondi. The following is an excerpt:
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a thriving route at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. The continuous footprints left there kept updating, and the bustling Silk Road thus became the largest trading system in the world at that time. Caravans departing from Chang'an, the capital city, needed a long time to reach the Mediterranean in Europe. This was not just a trade exchange, but a global feast with the rhythm of camels' steps and accompanied by the sound of camel bells. Silk itself was the best envoy, and various kinds of porcelain added luster to the dialogue between civilizations with their transparent and sparkling brilliance. Chinese products perfectly combined luxury, mystery, and indispensability, a unique charm that attracted the world.
More than a dozen centuries later, China once again reclaims this model, but this time with innovative ideas. The silhouette of caravans has faded away, replaced by five-year plans; spices have been replaced by tax incentives and the QR code, a universal pass in the digital age. The route's framework is clearer now, and China's goal remains unchanged: to build a global consumption center, like "Silk Road 2.0," and let international tourists experience again the same feeling that fascinated Persian and Arab merchants back then - certain things exist only in this Asian power. China actively invites, opens its doors, relaxes visa requirements, and even promises tax refunds before people ask about prices.
Chinese experts say that building some cities into large international consumer centers to maximize the attraction of foreign tourists for shopping is one of the goals of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The development of these cities and the increasing consumption by foreign tourists will help upgrade the commercial, tourism, and cultural industries, while also enhancing the international visibility and influence of Chinese cities.
This is further explanation of a measure initiated by the Chinese government. The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance have just announced a list of 15 cities that are planned to be selected as pilot cities for the construction of an international consumption environment. These cities will receive government-provided funds to expand the consumer market, optimize the tax refund policy for foreigners, and expand multilingual tourism services.
In recent years, China has been implementing a series of measures to encourage international trade, including expanding the range of countries eligible for unilateral visa exemptions, optimizing entry policies, and foreign tourist tax refund policies. Starting with the slogan "Shop in China," China plans to integrate duty-free stores and tax refund centers into the increasingly expanding tourism and cultural resources of Chinese cities.
China is committed to making every guest who comes from afar enjoy more convenient shopping, a more pleasant journey, and more affordable prices, and to personally experience an open, inclusive, diverse, and innovative China.
From the forefront of fashion to smart technology, China's shopping experience is resonating with the global travel trend. The ancient Eastern country is welcoming the world with unprecedented breadth. (Translation: Wang Meng)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7578719087778447922/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.