QINGDAO -- The policy-backed trade-in program, as part of Qingdao’s efforts to stimulate consumption, has boosted the sales of products from automobiles to consumer in Qingdao. The sales have boomed for digital products, after mobile phones, tablets and other "3C" products, or computer, communication and consumer electronics, became eligible for trade-in subsidies.

In a shopping mall, digital product stores have been bustling with consumers, most of whom are drawn by the trade-in subsidies.
"I really like this model. It is priced at 3,599 yuan (497 U.S. dollars). With the government subsidies, I can get 500 yuan (69 U.S. dollars) off. It feels like a great deal, so I've come here today to buy it. I am very happy with it," said Qiu Qianqian, a consumer.

"Since January, 480,000 consumers in the city have participated in the trade-in program of home appliances, and 3C digital products, with a total purchase of 566,000 units and a cumulative transaction amount of 1.91 billion yuan (263.7 million U.S. dollars)," said Guo Xia, director of the trade service and consumption promotion division at the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce.