Customers take a break at Element in Shanghai, which sells clothing, shoes, handbags, perfume and household supplies. [Photo/China Daily]

-- Easing rental burdens for small businesses

On May 9, China announced rental reductions or exemptions for small and self-employed businesses in the service sector, which were reeling from weak consumer spending during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rent relief aims to support hard-hit micro and small companies and self-employed businesses, especially in the sectors of catering, accommodation, tourism, education, housekeeping, theater and hairdressing.

-- Spurring auto consumption

Chinese authorities unveiled a slew of measures to stabilize and expand car consumption, amid efforts to ensure the stable and normal operation of the economy, said an official circular on April 29.

Financial institutions will be encouraged to conduct financial business including auto consumption credits, said the circular, stressing good use of consumer auto financing.

More efforts will be made to increase support for personal auto consumption credits and further release the auto consumption potential by appropriately lowering the down payment ratio and loan interest rate as well as extending the repayment period, the circular noted.

-- 97 drugs of new medical insurance catalog available for purchase

A total of 97 drugs, including 70 new additions and 27 renewed drugs, were approved to be included in China's new national medical insurance catalog after price negotiations between the healthcare security administration and drug producers.