Turning scale into true strength

A netizen from people.com.cn recently asked: How should we understand the often-mentioned "advantage of a super-large market"? I have noticed that in the first quarter of this year, domestic demand contributed 84.7 percent to economic growth. How can the advantage of a super-large market be turned into a development advantage for our country?

This netizen's question strikes at the core issue, representing not only a follow-up on a popular economic term, but also a concern for future development.

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When talking about a super-large market, discussion of "scale" is unavoidable. In fact, "large size" itself is an advantage.

People visit the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

China has a population of over 1.4 billion and the world's largest middle-income group. Any demand multiplied by more than 1.4 billion constitutes an enormous scale. On the one hand, as residents' incomes steadily rise, demand for goods and services is rapidly shifting from "whether there is" to "whether it is good." On the other hand, within the demand of more than 1.4 billion people lies vast space for the close integration of investment in physical capital and investment in people.

From the demand side alone, the massive and diverse needs of a super-large market can firmly underpin the stable operation of China's economy.

So, how can the advantage of a super-large market be transformed into a development advantage?

The carrying capacity of a super-large market enables consumption to serve as the "ballast stone" of economic growth.

Trendy new consumer products favored by young people reveal the market momentum driven by emotional value; "silver-haired trains" running across the country reflect the comprehensive upgrading of elderly demand; immersive check-in experiences going viral on social media continue to expand new scenarios for the experience economy…

From food, clothing, housing and transportation to education, healthcare, culture and tourism, from material satisfaction to spiritual enjoyment, from single consumption to integrated consumption scenarios, new business forms and models are constantly emerging, painting a vibrant picture of consumption.

Last year, final consumption expenditure contributed 52 percent to China's economic growth. In the first quarter of this year, final consumption expenditure drove GDP growth by 2.4 percentage points. The role of consumption as the "main engine" continues to strengthen, making the strong domestic market a "stabilizing anchor" in addressing risks and challenges and maintaining overall development stability.

The innovation momentum of a super-large market provides strong driving forces for industrial upgrading.

A super-large market not only gives rise to a complete industrial system and supporting capabilities, but also provides a "testing ground" and "incubator" for technological innovation. In the face of diversified and quality-oriented demand upgrades, enterprises are more motivated to innovate and have more stable development expectations, while strong economies of scale help dilute R&D costs, thereby encouraging companies to invest in research and explore new paths. From "trading market for technology" to "creating technology with the market," the super-large market helps consolidate the foundation of a manufacturing powerhouse.

发布于：北京市