Southwest China's Chengdu has heeded the national call for more emphasis on domestic consumption by pouring even more excitement into the city's famous nightlife. With a population of 20 million and a reputation as a magnet for the young and hip, Chengdu has emerged as a national model for the "night economy", a sector analysts say accounts for around 60 percent of urban spending in China. From sizzling street-side barbecues to high-end clubs with world-class sound systems, the city's after-dark scene is not only a wellspring of entertainment, but a vital economic engine. At Kezee, one of Chengdu's hottest nightclubs, the party unfolds in a theater-like hall where performers belt out Chinese and Western pop hits on a stage equipped with a Marathon sound system -- the same brand used by Michael Jackson. But in a city where culinary passion runs deep, even the most glamorous venues must deliver on flavor. Indeed, food anchors Chengdu's nightlife. Evenings typically begin with a hearty meal, weave through snacks and drinks, and often culminate in late-night barbecue -- a national favorite that sustains countless small businesses. Yuan Chengcui, owner of Langyu Barbecue, operates her business 16 hours a day, from 17:00 to 09:00 the next day, turning skewered meat and vegetables into a livelihood. Her success is bolstered by local policy. Last year, Chengdu launched a support package featuring 55 measures to aid private businesses, including allowing street-front shops to expand seating outdoors. Even in the hyper-competitive bubble tea market, some shops now stay open 24 hours to capture late-night demand. Shotlist: Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Recent: 1. Outdoor performance, spectators; 2. Tourists taking selfies; 3. Various of children playing extreme sports, pet dog; 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) local resident (name not given): "Going out in Chengdu lasts from 20:00 to 08:00 the next day -- it's like having another job."; 5. Various of pet dog, people on commercial street; 6. Various of performances in nightclub, audience; 7. Various of Demon, manager of Kezee nightclub, showing reporter interior of their kitchen, barbecue; 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Demon, manager, Kezee nightclub (starting with shot 7/ending with shot 9): "When it comes to food and drink, it's absolutely central for Sichuan. People here love to eat. Take this beef for example: every day, we prepare a rich stock using fresh beef, then marinate it on the spot. The process takes six hours each day."; 9. Various of special cuisine of Kezee nightclub; 10. Various of customers enjoying food, food stalls, barbecues, diners; 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yuan Chengcui, owner, Langyu Barbecue (partially overlaid with shot 12): "Our restaurant opens from five in the afternoon to nine in the morning. We are open for 16 hours every day, so it's very demanding. But for ordinary people like me, it doesn't require much technical skill. You just need to be able to handle the effort and late nights. And because of running this barbecue restaurant, I was able to buy my first home. So, I really love doing barbecue. I'm passionate about it."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 12. Various of customers enjoying barbecues, Yuan serving food, laughing; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 13. Various of riders, customers enjoying food in outdoor area; 14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yuan Chengcui, owner, Langyu Barbecue (partially overlaid with shot 15): "Before, when we weren't allowed to put tables outside, I was even thinking of selling my shop. Now that we can set up a few outdoor tables, business has picked up. Things are getting better, and the government's policies are really supportive."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 15. Various of customers enjoying food in outdoor area; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 16. Outlet of milk tea brand CHAGEE; 17. Customers; 18. Various of staff members of CHAGEE working, customers; 19. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liao Shengjie, outlet manager, milk tea brand CHAGEE (partially overlaid with shot 20): "Being open 24 hours will boost our store's business revenue. Milk tea sales from midnight to 07:00 the next day make up about 10 percent of our daily revenue."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 20. Various of milk tea for takeaway, bill; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 21. Various of staff members of CHAGEE working, serving customer. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]