{
  "id": 6179752,
  "title": "China tries to make heritage products trendy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/china-tries-to-make-heritage-products-trendy",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-07T21:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune Business",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune-business",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/252617/business/china-tries-to-make-heritage-products-trendy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China is leveraging its cultural heritage to revitalize stagnant domestic consumption, launching an initiative to modernize a range of industries from silk and tea to liquor, ceramics, and traditional Chinese medicine. On Monday, six government departments released plans to nurture 50 leading enterprises within heritage sectors, each with annual revenues of at least 10 billion yuan ($1.49 billion), by 2028. Xie Yuansheng, vice-minister of industry and information technology, explained at a Beijing press conference that many traditional products are viewed as outdated and fail to attract the interest of younger generations. The objective is to make such products fashionable among both domestic and international audiences, with authorities backing collaborations between these industries and renowned designers, brands, and fashion houses.\n\nThe drive to promote heritage products emerges as policymakers search for fresh avenues to stimulate consumer spending, which has been hampered by a struggling property market and a subdued labor force. Retail sales expanded by only 0.6 percent in July, falling short of expectations and below the 1 percent increase observed in June. Heritage products are among the latest sectors targeted by the government, following prior policy initiatives in sports, winter tourism, and nightlife. Early attempts to make traditional industries more appealing to younger consumers appear promising, with bars offering traditional Chinese medicine-infused drinks gaining popularity on social media. Certain ceramic and woodcarving products have also witnessed increased interest following the release of the blockbuster video game Black Myth: Wukong in late 2024. These products are also garnering attention overseas due to social media trends like \"China-maxxing,\" which involves Chinese nationals adopting Chinese lifestyle practices such as drinking hot water and tea, and practicing traditional qigong rituals. Chinese heritage goods are increasingly visible thanks to creative markets, interactive exhibitions, and live-streaming promotions, as well as the appointment of prominent figures as overseas brand ambassadors.",
  "summary": "AgenciesChina is leaning on its cultural heritage to jolt sluggish domestic spending, rolling out a push to modernise industries ranging from silk and tea to liquor, ceramics and t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}