“带着空箱子去中国”成新风尚，前三季度离境退税销售额增长约1倍

Core Insights - The number of foreign visitors entering China without a visa reached 20.89 million in the first three quarters of the year, representing a year-on-year increase of over 50% [1][5][9] - The sales volume of tax refunds for departing tourists has doubled compared to the previous year [1][5][9] - The "Buy in China" initiative has been launched to enhance consumer activities and promote high-quality imports [1][5][9] Event Overview - The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held from November 5 to 10, with participation from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, featuring 4,108 overseas exhibitors and an exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square meters [2][6][10] - The event will include the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which will host 33 sub-forums and closed-door meetings, along with over 80 supporting activities such as trade negotiations and investment promotion [2][6][11] Economic Impact - Shanghai aims to enhance its status as an international consumption center by integrating the CIIE with local consumer activities, launching the "2025 Boutique Consumption Month" during the expo [2][6][11] - The city has hosted over 2,000 product launch events this year, with 787 new stores opening from January to September [3][12] - E-commerce transactions in Shanghai exceeded 3.27 trillion yuan (approximately 460 billion USD) in the first nine months, marking a 12.7% year-on-year growth [3][12] Consumer Trends - The trend of "bringing empty boxes to China" has gained popularity on overseas social media platforms, indicating a growing interest in shopping in China [1][5][9] - The tourism sector in Shanghai saw over 6.3 million inbound visitors in the first nine months, with tourism consumption increasing by nearly 30% [3][12]