STORY: Let's be cool. Hot weather shapes new consumer trends in China
DATELINE: July 26, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:37
LOCATION: CHONGQING, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
2. various of street views in China
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI HE, Resident in Chongqing
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YU DAN, Resident in Chongqing
5. various of sunscreen products
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DONG FEI, Researcher, JD.com's research institute for consumption and industrial development
8. various of cooling and refreshing products.
9. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
10. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
 
 
STORYLINE:
 
STANDUP (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
"As scorching summer temperatures sweep across many parts of China, it's easy to spot people fully equipped with sun protection gear when they brave the heat outdoors.
You see, I've got a UV protection umbrella.
Many Chinese cities and provinces including Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, Henan and Shandong have been seared under heatwaves since this summer due to global warming and the El Nino phenomenon. For Chongqing alone, the meteorological department forecast that temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius will persist for about a month from mid-July to August."
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI HE, Resident in Chongqing
"I have bought sunscreen, an umbrella and sunglasses. I hope these can help protect my skin against the sun."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YU DAN, Resident in Chongqing
"I bought my hat at a store and my umbrella from an online platform, because I don't want to get suntanned."
 
According to statistics released by Zhiyanzhan industrial research institute, the market size of China's sunscreen products industry reached 18.3 billion yuan (about 2.57 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, and is expected to soar to 38.9 billion yuan in 2029.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
"The consumer groups for sunscreen products are gradually diversifying, expanding from traditional female consumers to males and children, leading to the continuous growth in the sunscreen market for the latter groups."
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DONG FEI, Researcher, JD.com's research institute for consumption and industrial development
"A report on high temperature consumption observation released by our research institute showed that the sales volume of sunscreen cream for children and men on JD's platform in early July increased by 70 percent and 67 percent respectively."
 
SOUNDBITE 5 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
"Apart from sunscreen products, the high temperatures have also boosted the sales of cooling and refreshing products.
Meituan Waimai, a major food delivery platform in China, has witnessed a sharp increase in the sales of iced beverages, beer, ice cream, fans, and other cooling products during the hot weather."
 
Since June, ice cream and ice pop sales on Meituan's platform have surged by about 70 percent, and sales of chilled beverages have grown by over 100 percent compared to the same period last year.
   
According to the Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo Inc., air conditioners have experienced significant growth among major home appliances.
 
Amidst the continuous high temperatures, traveling to escape the summer heat has also become a popular choice for many people.
 
SOUNDBITE 6 (English): YANG SHIYAN, Xinhua correspondent
"According to a report released by China Tourism Academy (Data Center for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism), the scale of travels to escape summer heat and related markets has reached 1.2 trillion to 1.5 trillion yuan (about 167.7 to 209.7 billion U.S. dollars)."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chongqing, China.
(XHTV)