Total retail sales hit 30 trillion yuan in 2015 for the first time. Consumption contributed about two-thirds to China’s economic growth in 2015.

Wang Bin, deputy director of the Market Operation Department of the Commerce Ministry, said consumption is a critical part of sustaining growth.

“This fully reflects that at a time when the growth of investments and exports falls dramatically, consumption plays a role of stabilizer in sustaining economic development,” Wang said.