Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is optimizing the departure tax refund policy to stimulate inbound consumption, aiming to fill a global demand gap of nearly $3 trillion caused by trade barriers and tariffs imposed by the U.S. [1][6] Group 1: Policy Changes - The new policy lowers the departure tax refund threshold from 500 RMB to 200 RMB, allowing foreign travelers to apply for refunds on purchases that meet specific criteria [2][3] - The policy expansion includes a wider range of products, such as traditional Chinese goods, cultural items, and high-quality local products, enhancing the shopping experience for international tourists [2][3] Group 2: Market Impact - In Q1 2025, Beijing's departure tax refund applications surged by 128%, with sales of refund-eligible products reaching 270 million RMB, doubling year-on-year [3] - Shanghai reported a significant increase in departure tax refund sales, totaling 760 million RMB in Q1 2025, marking an 85% year-on-year growth [3] - Chongqing's departure tax refund market also experienced rapid growth, with sales and refund amounts increasing nearly fivefold in Q1 2025 [3] Group 3: Consumer Experience Enhancements - The introduction of a multilingual departure tax refund guide and an electronic map for refund stores aims to improve the shopping experience for foreign tourists [4] - The government is promoting a "one-stop shopping" experience at major transportation hubs, integrating shopping and tax refund services to attract more international travelers [8][9] Group 4: Economic Opportunities - The potential increase in foreign tourist numbers due to the optimized tax refund policy is expected to boost retail sales, particularly from high-spending tourists [5][6] - The Chinese consumer market, currently valued at approximately $10 trillion, has a target to increase by $3 trillion over the next five years, presenting significant market opportunities [6]