The China (Chongqing) International Shopping Festival opens on April 28. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

The China (Chongqing) International Shopping Festival was unveiled in the Cuntan International New City, Liangjiang New Area, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, on April 28.

The administrative committee of the Liangjiang New Area was one of the organizers of the event, which is designed to further consolidate Chongqing's status as one of China's five international consumption center cities.

The festival will run for a month, featuring more than 100 fashion activities, such as the 2023 Chongqing International Coffee Festival, and the first Chongqing kite festival, as well as 300 sales promotions.

At the opening ceremony, a concept show created by Liang Mingyu, a top international designer and the chief designer of the closing ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was put on stage, which featured nearly 600 square meters of LED screens.

Sub-venues of the festival were set in Chongqing's various landmarks, including the Jiefang Monument and Xiliutuo Ancient Town. A 1-kilometer-long international quality life experience display was launched on the same day, where the British, Hispanic, Canadian, Uruguayan, Swiss and Australian commodity display areas were set, feeding consumers' eyes with their top-notch brands and products.

In the afternoon, the 2023 China (Chongqing) International Consumption Center City Development Conference was held, attended by Zhang Yujun, an inspector from the Ministry of Commerce; Zhao Ping, vice president of the Research Institute of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; and Zhang Liqun, a researcher from the Development Research Center of the State Council; as well as representatives from transnational corporations.

In his speech, Zhang Yujun highlighted 2023 as a year for the ministry to prioritize consumption. Promotional activities and relevant incentive policies will be used to further enhance purchasers' confidence, and optimize the spatial layouts of commercial districts.

Zhao Ping, vice president of the Research Institute of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, gives a keynote speech at the conference on April 28. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Experts shared their opinions on new trends, new momentum and new scenarios for the consumption center cities. Zhao Ping cited Chongqing's large consumer groups, high level of opening-up, and convenient transport as being conducive to making this an international consumption center. Zhao also suggested that the municipality upgrade its consumption levels, focus on internationality and innovation, create refreshing shopping experiences, and expand Chongqing's discourse power in the global fashion community.