The initiative was issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.

The plan calls for the creation of a safe and reliable consumption environment through the implementation of a three-year strategy.

According to the document, the country will strengthen quality standards, credit systems and dispute resolution mechanisms.

It will also regulate business practices such as “lowest online price”, promotions in online sales and live broadcasts, while cracking down on counterfeit or defective products.

China will also improve monitoring of product recalls and the complexity of pay-TV services.

Another priority is to support the development of digital and technological consumption.

The plan includes measures to promote the use of artificial intelligence in areas such as autonomous vehicles, smart wearable devices, ultra HD video, brain-computer interfaces, robotics and additive manufacturing.

Tourism and aerial sports will also be promoted, as will the use of drones as part of the so-called low-altitude economy, as well as diversifying cruise routes and simplifying procedures for registering recreational craft.

In the area of housing, the authorities will seek to meet housing needs through policies aimed at stabilising the housing market.

According to the document, the renovation of run-down urban areas will be accelerated and the use of special bonds for the purchase of existing housing will be allowed as part of the social housing programme. mh/las/idm