China aims to spur consumption in first five-year blueprint

BEIJING, July 13 (Reuters) - China is targeting retail sales of around 60 trillion yuan ($8.85 trillion) by 2030 under a five-year plan to expand consumption, while pledging to raise household incomes.

The plan, approved by the State Council and released on Monday, pledges to boost services consumption in areas including elderly care, childcare, healthcare, culture, tourism, sports and education.

It also calls for stronger tourism-related spending, an expansion of visa-free entry to more countries, and more direct international flights to Europe, the U.S. and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China aims to markedly raise the household consumption rate and strengthen consumption's role in driving economic growth under the country's first five-year plan dedicated to boosting consumption.

Beijing will promote new consumption models including digital consumption, AI-powered consumption, green consumption, experiential spending, and inbound consumption.

The plan also highlights the need to lift household spending power through stronger employment, higher wages, more property income, improved social security and better public services.

China pledged to remove "unreasonable restrictive measures" in areas such as car purchases, housing and approvals for entertainment events, according to the plan.

Fiscal and financial policy should place greater emphasis on direct benefits to consumers, livelihood spending and consumption-related infrastructure, the plan said.

($1 = 6.7803 Chinese yuan renminbi)