Economic Overview - The domestic economy shows a trend of "stability with growth," with GDP expected to grow by 5.3% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 [1] - Despite economic growth, consumer demand remains low, with prices of goods like cars and home appliances in a downward trend [1] - Total bank deposits of residents surged by 10.77 trillion yuan in the first half of 2025, reaching a historic high [1] Consumer Behavior - Experts suggest lowering bank deposit interest rates to zero to encourage spending, but residents are still reluctant to consume [3] - The primary reasons for low consumer spending include significant wealth disparity, high housing prices, and the overdevelopment of e-commerce [3][5] Wealth Disparity - Although GDP is increasing, the majority of wealth is concentrated among the government and corporations, leaving laborers with a smaller share [5] - Only 2% of families hold 80% of the deposits, while 98% hold just 20% [5] - Many households are saving for future expenses like healthcare, education, and housing, leading to a reluctance to spend [5] Housing Market - Housing prices remain high, with the price-to-income ratio in second and third-tier cities at 20-25 and in first-tier cities at 40 [7] - High housing costs severely limit disposable income, as families often spend over 40% of their income on mortgage repayments [7] - Reducing housing prices and increasing affordable housing availability are essential for improving consumer spending [7] E-commerce Impact - The rise of e-commerce has changed shopping habits, with consumers favoring online shopping for lower prices and convenience [8] - However, overdevelopment of e-commerce may harm long-term economic growth due to limited job creation compared to physical stores [8] - The profitability of e-commerce is concentrated among leading companies, while small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses struggle to survive, impacting overall consumer demand [9]