提振消费需念好“三字经”

Core Viewpoint - Consumption is becoming the key driver for improving the quality and efficiency of China's economy, as highlighted by recent government initiatives aimed at boosting consumer spending and enhancing financial support [2][3]. Group 1: Policy Initiatives - The Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, and the Financial Regulatory Authority have jointly issued a notice to encourage consumer activities and financial support to stimulate consumption potential [2]. - The Central Economic Work Conference has prioritized boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand as the foremost task for economic work in the coming year [2]. Group 2: Structural Changes in Consumption - The shift from an investment-export driven growth model to a consumption-driven model is complex, requiring a multi-dimensional approach to match supply and demand effectively [3]. - Policies aimed at enhancing consumption must focus on three key aspects: enabling consumption, encouraging consumption, and fostering a willingness to consume [3][4]. Group 3: Enabling Consumption - The ability to consume is measured by effective purchasing power, which reflects demand rather than mere needs. Current insufficient effective demand is linked to the balance between savings and consumption [3]. - The Central Economic Work Conference has emphasized the need for a plan to increase income for urban and rural residents, which is crucial for enabling consumption [3]. Group 4: Encouraging Consumption - The willingness to consume is influenced by consumer confidence, which is currently hindered by concerns over future responsibilities such as retirement and education [4]. - The government aims to enhance social security and welfare systems to provide residents with a sense of security, thereby encouraging consumption [4]. Group 5: Fostering Willingness to Consume - The quality of consumption is tied to trust between consumers and the market. Issues such as high costs of consumer rights protection and poor supply-demand matching increase market costs [4]. - Introducing legal reforms such as collective lawsuits and dispute resolution mechanisms is essential to create a fair consumption environment, encouraging residents to engage in domestic consumption [4]. Group 6: Financial Support for Consumption - The focus of financial support should be on transforming the vast capital stock accumulated since the reform and opening up into a wealth lever for consumer spending, while avoiding excessive leverage on household balance sheets [5]. Group 7: Governance and Economic Strategy - The emphasis on boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand reflects a new governance approach that aligns with public sentiment, marking a significant shift in economic strategy [6].