SHENZHEN
\nFor decades, Chinese families marked the Chinese New Year by gifting boxes of health supplements and traditional delicacies. Now, high-tech gadgets, from drones to AI glasses, are emerging as the gift of choice, fueled by government subsidies, innovation and a consumer shift toward smart lifestyles.
\nAt Shenzhen\u2019s Huaqiangbei electronics market, known as \u201cChina\u2019s Hardware Silicon Valley,\u201d the transformation is impossible to miss. What was once a wholesale hub for components has become a bustling fair where thousands hunt for digital gifts.
\nLi Ye, a native of northeastern China working in Shenzhen, found himself swept up in the weekday crowds. \u201cI thought it would be quieter,\u201d he said, clutching three drones purchased for relatives back home. Nearby, a vendor reported shifting over 30 units in a single day this month.
\nThe market\u2019s appeal has extended beyond domestic shoppers. More than 7,000 foreign buyers stream through the fair daily in the Chinese New Year season, according to local officials. The district has deployed volunteers in orange vests to assist international visitors.
\nDuring a Hangzhou consumption expo, the 125-gram flying cameras drew a steady stream of inquiries. Desktop companion robots equipped with large language models and dancing capabilities became the center of attention, captivating children and young adults alike.
\nBeijing\u2019s silver-age festival told a similar story. Exoskeleton-assisted walking robots and AI mattresses that monitor heart rate and breathing data have emerged as popular ways for younger generations to express filial piety toward elderly relatives.
\nThe boom is not accidental. Government subsidies have played a crucial role. Smart glasses were added to the national subsidy catalog for the first time this year, with some products available at 50 percent off through combined trade-in programs and state support.
\nAt an offline experience store in Beijing, a man surnamed Sun was trying on AI glasses he had long coveted.
\nHe had browsed them online extensively before deciding to purchase some for himself and his family. A store staff member said the subsidies have heated up demand for robot vacuums, smart kitchen appliances, whole-home intelligence systems, and 3C products over the past month.
\nData from the Ministry of Commerce show that in January, sales of home appliances and digital products under China\u2019s subsidy program exceeded 15 million units, with total revenue nearing 59 billion yuan (8.5 billion U.S. dollars).
\nLocal governments have allocated over 2 billion yuan in funds to directly benefit the public through consumption vouchers, subsidies and cash handouts during the holiday season.
\nThe shift reflects bigger changes in Chinese consumption patterns as consumers increasingly prioritize service and value experiences enabled by new technologies.
\n\u201cWhether for family trips or as gifts, these products are about capturing and sharing moments,\u201d said a salesperson at the Shenzhen retail store, where Insta360 cameras saw heavy traffic. The panoramic cameras, developed by a local startup, carry discounts of up to 1,400 yuan. Last April, this hardware maker\u2019s product became an instant U.S. hit, with customers lining up at dawn to grab the new release.
\nAn online platform is adding spice to the hardware gift frenzy. Doubao, ByteDance\u2019s AI assistant, announced it will distribute more than 100,000 gifts during China Central Television\u2019s Spring Festival gala on Feb. 16. Those prizes include humanoid robots, robotic dogs, 3D printers, and drones, all integrated with Doubao\u2019s large language models.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SHENZHEN For decades, Chinese families marked the Chinese New Year by gifting boxes of health supplements and traditional delicacies. Now, high-tech gadgets, from drones to AI glasses, are emerging as the gift of choice, fueled by government subsidies, innovation and a consumer shift toward smart lifestyles. At Shenzhen\u2019s Huaqiangbei electronics market, known as \u201cChina\u2019s Hardware […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-531451","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n