张军扩：大力提高社会保障水平是解决消费率结构性偏低的关键

Core Viewpoint - The low consumer spending rate in China is a long-standing issue that needs to be addressed to promote sustainable high-quality economic development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [1][2]. Group 1: Current Economic Policies and Trends - The Chinese government has implemented various policies to boost consumer demand, with a particular focus on enhancing consumption as a priority task this year [1]. - From January to July this year, the retail sales of consumer goods increased by 4.8% year-on-year, with retail sales excluding automobiles growing by 5.3% and service retail sales rising by 5.2% [1]. Group 2: Structural Issues in Consumer Spending - China's consumer spending rate is significantly lower compared to international standards, and it has shown a trend of rising over the past 15 years after an initial decline [2]. - The low consumer spending rate is attributed to insufficient social security, unstable expectations, and weak consumer confidence, compounded by pressures from housing, healthcare, education, and retirement [2]. Group 3: Policy Recommendations for Enhancing Consumer Demand - To effectively release consumer demand potential during the 14th Five-Year Plan, policies should focus on three areas: 1. Implementing counter-cyclical consumption stimulus policies to support service consumption, particularly in education, healthcare, and retirement [2][3]. 2. Increasing social security and public service levels for low-income groups to enhance safety and consumer confidence [2]. 3. Strengthening supply-side policies by reducing entry barriers and optimizing regulatory policies to expand the supply of quality services [3].