China to leverage transport sector to boost consumption

China will seek to expand consumption in the transport sector as part of the country's broader efforts to drive domestic demand and spur consumer spending, said Li Yang, vice minister of transport, at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

Efforts will be made on key areas including yachts and cruise ships, small and micro passenger vehicle rental market, and improving self-driving travel experiences.

On Dec. 23, 2025, the State Council Information Office holds a press conference in Beijing on transportation supporting high-quality economic and social development in the new era. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

Over the past three years, the number of newly registered yachts in China has grown at an average annual rate of over 40%, demonstrating rapid growth. Once regarded as a high-end luxury, yachting is now evolving toward more mass-market consumption and scaled development. Seizing this trend, the Ministry of Transport will study and formulate a series of measures to expand yacht consumption, Li said.

An aerial drone photo taken on April 6, 2025 shows Adora Magic City berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]  

The ministry recently issued a package of measures to further promote the development of cruise transport and tourism services, outlining 10 specific measures across four key areas. These measures are expected to diversify cruise product offerings, improve the efficiency of cruise operations and management, and enhance the safety of cruise transport.

Small and micro passenger vehicle rental market is another area worth watching, Li said. At present, China has around 4 million small and micro passenger vehicles available for rental, and the sector remains in a phase of rapid growth. It is projected that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the national short-term car rental market will grow at an average annual rate of about 15%.

Next year, the Ministry of Transport will increase the supply of rental vehicles during peak periods, and work with relevant departments to make better use of transport hubs such as high-speed rail stations and airports to promote convenient cross-city vehicle returns with free or reduced fees, he added.

As self-driving travel has emerged as a new driver in tourism consumption, the Ministry of Transport will leverage national and provincial highway resources to further improve the highway infrastructure service system and develop a number of distinctive, cross-regional premium self-driving routes to provide better services, Li said. 

Next year, the ministry plans to carry out a nationwide initiative to upgrade highway service areas. Key priorities will include enhancing charging capacity, improving the accessibility of restrooms for the elderly, further standardizing the construction of driver service facilities, promoting the development of open-style service areas, and strengthening safety and emergency response capabilities at service areas.