Core Viewpoint - The transformation of Cao County from a traditional agricultural county reliant on labor export to a new type of county driven by rural e-commerce took about a decade, initiated by the establishment of internet connectivity [4]. Group 1: Historical Context - Before gaining recognition for its Hanfu culture, Cao County was listed among the counties in Shandong with the heaviest poverty alleviation tasks [2]. - In 2005, Cao County exported 200,000 rural laborers, with an average monthly income of 700 to 800 yuan, contributing 1.7 billion yuan to the county's GDP of 5.65 billion yuan, accounting for approximately 30% of the total [3]. - The county's infrastructure was previously underdeveloped, with poor transportation hampering economic activities [3]. Group 2: E-commerce Development - The first e-commerce venture in Cao County began in 2008 when a local youth opened the county's first photography clothing store on Taobao, marking the start of the e-commerce era [6]. - By 2010, the first successful order was received, leading to a shift in focus towards the production and sale of performance costumes, which proved to be more profitable [8]. - The number of online stores in Dinglou Village grew from 14 in 2010 to over 100 by 2011, indicating a rapid adoption of e-commerce among local residents [8]. Group 3: Economic Impact - The average annual income of villagers in Dinglou Village increased from around 1,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan after the introduction of e-commerce [9]. - The establishment of a complete supply chain within a 5-kilometer radius around Dinglou Village facilitated the growth of the local performance costume industry [9]. - By 2024, the sales revenue of Hanfu in Cao County is projected to reach 8.75 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 21.28% [20]. Group 4: Community and Cultural Influence - The e-commerce boom has created job opportunities for approximately 350,000 people in Cao County, significantly improving living standards [20]. - The local government has initiated programs to promote Hanfu culture across various sectors, aiming to establish it as a core pillar of the county's economy [20]. - The transformation has led to improved infrastructure and living conditions, with many villagers now owning new homes and vehicles [21].

Core Insights - The transformation of Cao County from a traditional agricultural economy reliant on labor export to a thriving e-commerce hub centered around the production and sale of performance costumes and Hanfu has occurred over a span of just over a decade [1][10][12]. Group 1: Economic Transformation - Cao County was previously one of the poorest counties in Shandong, with a GDP of 56.5 billion yuan in 2005, where labor income accounted for 30% of the GDP [1]. - The county's shift to e-commerce began with the establishment of online stores, particularly in the towns of Dajitown and Ancailou, which are now known as "Taobao villages" [1][2]. - By 2024, the Hanfu sales revenue from Cao County is projected to reach 8.75 billion yuan, marking a 21.28% year-on-year growth [12]. Group 2: E-commerce Development - The first e-commerce venture in Cao County was initiated by a young entrepreneur in 2008, leading to the establishment of a successful online store for performance costumes [2][3]. - The growth of e-commerce in the region has led to the establishment of a complete supply chain for the performance costume industry within a 5-kilometer radius of Dajitown [5]. - By 2021, the establishment of a Hanfu live-streaming base in Ancailou has significantly boosted local sales and engagement in the Hanfu market [11]. Group 3: Community Impact - The rise of e-commerce has dramatically improved the living standards of local villagers, with average annual incomes rising from around 1,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan [4][13]. - Infrastructure improvements have transformed the village environment, with new housing and amenities becoming commonplace, including luxury vehicles [14]. - The e-commerce boom has created approximately 350,000 job opportunities in Cao County, allowing residents of all ages to participate in various roles within the industry [12].

Group 1 - The event, organized by the China International E-commerce Center, aims to discover and promote rural e-commerce leaders and exemplary cases, aligning with the national rural revitalization strategy [1][12] - Over 400 rural e-commerce practitioners participated in the competition, with 30 top finalists competing in the national finals held in Caoxian, Shandong [1][4] - The competition focused on brand building and innovative marketing models for agricultural products, showcasing the vitality and innovative application of new technologies and ideas in rural areas [4][12] Group 2 - The competition adopted an "incentive training" model to cultivate a new generation of rural e-commerce talents who are practical and capable of teaching others, addressing the talent shortage in rural e-commerce [12] - Caoxian is recognized as a leading county in rural e-commerce, with a focus on developing a comprehensive industrial chain including Hanfu, crafts, and pet products, boasting 21 Taobao towns and 181 Taobao villages [16] - The award ceremony will take place on August 21, during the "E-commerce Empowerment, Linking Rural Areas" event, where winners will serve as role models for rural industry upgrades [16]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the dedication of Han Rensheng, a 75-year-old retired party member, who has revitalized traditional folk arts in his village through the "Sunset Red Art Troupe" [1][2] - Han Rensheng has been instrumental in preserving local cultural heritage, particularly bamboo horse and "three blows and three beats" folk arts, which were at risk of disappearing [1] - The "Sunset Red Art Troupe" not only performs during traditional festivals but also engages with the community by performing for left-behind elderly individuals, showcasing the importance of cultural transmission and community service [2] Group 2 - The troupe has gained popularity among villagers and has won a gold medal in the county's village song competition, indicating its success in cultural promotion [1] - Han Rensheng's commitment to the arts and community service reflects the values of the Communist Party, emphasizing the role of party members in serving the public [2] - Despite relocating to the county seat, Han continues to return weekly to the village for rehearsals, demonstrating his dedication to his roots and the cultural activities in his hometown [2]

Group 1 - The performance costume industry is significantly influenced by the performance market, which has seen substantial growth in China since the 21st century, leading to a leap from quantitative to qualitative changes in the industry [1][4][11] - The overall economic scale of the national performance market is projected to reach 79.629 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 7.6%, marking a historical high [4][11] - The performance costume market is expected to maintain a growth trend, with a market size of approximately 12.3 billion yuan in 2024, driven by the recovery of the performance market and increasing demand for high-quality costumes [11][17] Group 2 - The main source of revenue for the performance market comes from ticket sales, which are expected to generate 57.954 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 15.4% [6] - The industry is characterized by low entry barriers, with numerous small and medium-sized enterprises leading to relatively weak competitiveness and low market concentration [15] - The largest production base for performance costumes is located in Caoxian, which accounts for 70% of the national market share, with over 3,000 processing enterprises [13][15] Group 3 - The future of the performance costume industry looks promising, with advancements in technology such as 3D printing and virtual reality enhancing production efficiency and creativity [17] - The continuous prosperity of the cultural and entertainment industry, along with rising consumer demand, is expected to create more opportunities for the performance costume market [17] - Government policies aimed at supporting the cultural industry will positively impact the performance costume sector, fostering collaborative development across the industry chain [17]

Core Viewpoint - The incident involving Shenyang Liaomei Vocational School students returning performance costumes has sparked widespread discussion about the implications of the "seven-day no-reason return" policy in e-commerce, highlighting the conflict between consumer rights and business integrity [3][4]. Summary by Relevant Sections Incident Overview - A Shandong e-commerce store owner reported that students from Shenyang Liaomei Vocational School collectively returned clothes purchased online after a sports event, citing "quality issues," which led to the store being shut down and incurred losses of approximately 80,000 yuan [3]. E-commerce Return Policy Issues - The incident has raised questions about the practical application of the "seven-day no-reason return" policy, which some consumers have misinterpreted as a license for arbitrary returns, leading to unethical behaviors such as "trying on" items and returning them [3][4]. - The upcoming implementation of the "After-sales Service No-reason Return Service Specification" on May 1, 2025, aims to clarify return policies, specifying that certain categories of goods, such as customized and perishable items, are not eligible for returns [3][4]. Regulatory Changes - The new regulations emphasize the principle of "equal rights and obligations," allowing consumers a seven-day cooling-off period while ensuring that "no reason" does not equate to "no boundaries" [4]. - The regulations will enforce stricter conditions for returns, requiring items to be in perfect condition and allowing merchants to refuse returns for items that have depreciated in value after being opened [4]. Industry Impact - The rising trend of returns, especially those with signs of use, poses significant challenges to supply chains and logistics, leading to increased costs and operational complexities for e-commerce businesses [14]. - Recent adjustments to the "refund only" policy by various e-commerce platforms indicate a shift towards allowing merchants to negotiate directly with consumers regarding refunds, rather than the platform intervening [15]. Future Directions - The industry is encouraged to leverage big data and AI technologies to establish a more robust consumer return credit system, aiming to reduce unreasonable returns and promote a healthier e-commerce environment [16]. - Recommendations include enhancing product transparency through advanced technologies and fostering a culture of integrity among consumers, with platforms incentivizing honest behavior while penalizing fraudulent activities [16].