Group 1 - The introduction of the "immediate refund" tax refund policy in Shenzhen enhances the international influence of major shopping districts and boosts consumer spending [1] - The first "immediate refund" tax refund point was inaugurated in the Dongmen pedestrian street, a historically significant and densely populated area in Shenzhen [1] - The sales of tax refund eligible goods in Shenzhen increased by over 2.1 times year-on-year in the first five months of this year, with "immediate refund" goods sales growing over 20 times [1] Group 2 - Shenzhen has been implementing the tax refund policy since 2016 and introduced the "immediate refund" measure in 2023, becoming the only city in China with all types of tax refund ports (land, sea, and air) by 2024 [2] - The "one order, one package" model introduced by Shenzhen optimizes the tax refund process, reducing customs verification time from an average of 10 minutes to 5 minutes [2] - The number of outbound and inbound travelers in Shenzhen surpassed 100 million by May 19, 2025, with foreign travelers reaching 2.64 million, a 41% increase year-on-year [3]

Core Insights - The Ministry of Commerce's Vice Minister Sheng Qiuping announced significant progress in the cultivation of international consumption center cities since the plan was introduced in July 2021 [1] - The five cities involved—Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing—have seen notable improvements in international influence, consumption driving power, and central radiation capacity [1] - It is projected that by 2024, the number of foreign visitors entering the five international consumption center cities will approximately double compared to the previous year [1] Summary by Categories International Consumption Center Cities - The initiative aims to enhance the international consumption capabilities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing [1] - The collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and these cities has led to measurable advancements in their global standing [1] Visitor Projections - The forecast for 2024 indicates a significant increase in foreign visitors, with an expected growth of about 100% compared to the previous year [1]