China offers subsidy for new digital product purchases

Starting Jan. 20, residents nationwide are eligible for government subsidies for purchasing new digital products, like smartphones. 

Citizens try out smartphones in a home appliance store in Shenzhen. Photo from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Individual consumers buying smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches will be eligible for these subsidies. The subsidy amounts to 15% of the product's price provided that it does not exceed 6,000 yuan (US$ 825.60), with a limit of one subsidy per consumer for each product category capped at 500 yuan. 

These subsidies are exclusively for new product purchases and do not apply to trade-ins or exchanges. Consumers purchasing smartphones and similar items can benefit from immediate payment reduction, both online and in physical stores. Operators are strictly prohibited from engaging in deceptive practices such as false discounts or promises, and any attempts at price manipulation will be swiftly reported to authorities to ensure the enforcement of national policies.