Shenyang moves to boost consumer spending in cultural sector

Cultural venues in Shenyang city, in Northeast China's Liaoning province, are expected to see a surge in sales thanks to a series of promotions and shopping events that have been launched in the city in August, according to local officials.

They said that to date, over 90 percent of cultural and entertainment outlets -- especially performance venues, internet cafes and cinemas in Shenyang -- have resumed their business.

The city's government and the Liaoning branch of China UnionPay Co, a payment service provider, have been encouraging public spending in the cultural sector and helping boost the local entertainment and cultural market, by offering 402,000 digital coupons worth 12 million yuan ($1.73 million) to the public on each Wednesday between Aug 19 and Nov 4.

Locals can apply for the digital coupons via the application of UnionPay and within a fortnight of receiving them, use them in seven types of designated venues such as internet cafes, entertainment venues, theatres, cinemas, bookstores, cultural tourist attractions and crafts shops.

In addition, locals can enjoy other digital coupons worth 3 million yuan delivered by Shengjing Bank through the UnionPay app, as well as promotions and discounts initiated by the city's cinemas, bookstores, theatres and cultural venues.

For example, the city will launch a film season at the Wanda Cinema in local Hunnan district on Aug 21, enabling locals to get discounts when watching movies.

Officials said the issuance of digital coupons to boost cultural spending is the first large-scale initiative of its kind in Shenyang.

It will better cater to the needs of consumers, boost the confidence of entertainment and cultural businesses and help develop the market.

It is also of great importance to Shenyang's development as a national pilot city for cultural consumption and stable employment in the cultural sector.