The state's policy of "trade in the old for the new" is very good, but there are also some "roast". Some people worry about whether businesses will raise prices first and then discount, becoming "chicken ribs". Can 'trade in' bring benefits? ——The questions from netizens 15 ***** on People's Daily Online not only express affirmation of the effectiveness of the policy of exchanging old for new consumer goods, but also reflect some concerns about the implementation process of the policy. Can 'trade in' bring benefits? We need to speak with data. Let's first take a look at a "new bill": During the Spring Festival holiday, a consumer purchased a smart refrigerator and a first level energy-efficient air conditioner from a shopping mall in Chaoyang District, Beijing. The government subsidy and store subsidy totaled more than 2000 yuan, which can be described as "real money and silver". Currently, there are many consumers at home who have a need for replacement. As the service life of durable consumer goods such as automobiles, home appliances, and home decoration kitchens and bathrooms increases, the necessity for updates is becoming increasingly important, both in terms of product functionality and demand upgrades. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce, in 2024, there will be over 6.8 million car trade ins nationwide, with over 36 million consumers purchasing over 56 million units of 8 major categories of home appliances for trade ins, approximately 60 million subsidized products for home decoration, kitchen and bathroom renovation, and over 1.38 million electric bicycles for trade ins. Accumulate small things, gather sand to form a tower, exchange old for new benefits and attract more and more consumers, making people's longing for a better life a reality. Regarding the concern raised by netizens about merchants raising prices first and then offering discounts, relevant departments have already clarified and opened up channels for consumers to report and complain. For business entities that fail to fulfill their price commitments, increase prices before discounts, or embezzle subsidy funds, their eligibility to participate in activities will be immediately cancelled, and national subsidy funds will be recovered. Enhance the experience of exchanging old for new, with constant new tricks. On some e-commerce platforms, from old product recycling, new product selection, subsidy application, to new product delivery, consumers only need to operate on their mobile phones to complete the entire process, which is convenient, efficient, and affordable. So, what are the tangible benefits of 'trade in' for the current and future Chinese economy? The sales manager of a new energy vehicle company in Chongqing introduced that the trade in policy has a very significant driving effect on car sales. Since the implementation of the policy, there has been a significant increase in the number of consumers who come to the store for consultation and purchase of new cars, and the sales of enterprises have achieved significant growth. In the process of exchanging old for new consumer goods, high-tech and high-efficiency products are highly favored. In 2024, more than 60% of cars will be exchanged for new energy vehicles, and over 6.6 million old cars will be upgraded to new energy vehicles or energy-saving vehicles. Taking the example of exchanging old appliances for new ones, the sales of first level energy-efficient products account for over 90%, driving the retail sales of high energy efficiency grades and smart appliances to exceed double digits for four consecutive months; Home decoration kitchens and bathrooms are being exchanged for new ones, with a recent replacement of 10 million smart home products such as smart toilets, robotic vacuum cleaners, and smart door locks. The explosion of demand has driven related industries to accelerate on the "new track" of high-end, intelligent, and green development. It is worth mentioning that the trade in policy adheres to internal and external consistency and a high degree of openness, with foreign-invested enterprises actively participating and benefiting equally. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, foreign brand new cars account for about 35% of the sales volume of car trade ins. As a result, the sales of foreign car companies have significantly rebounded. Foreign brands account for more than 16% of the sales revenue of the 8 major categories of household appliances in the trade in program. Expand the perimeter and apply force, treating everyone equally. Show confidence and broad mindedness, and also demonstrate the unwavering determination to promote opening up to the outside world. If consumption is compared to the living water of the economy, exchanging old for new is like opening a valve, making economic development more vibrant and lively. In 2024, the trade in of consumer goods will drive sales of related products to exceed 1.3 trillion yuan, significantly boosting consumption. Consumption is dynamic, enterprises have orders, and the income of ordinary people is guaranteed, giving them more confidence in future consumption. With a positive interaction between demand and supply, the economy can better cycle and lay a solid foundation for high-quality development. From this perspective, exchanging old for new consumer goods is not a temporary solution, but a strategic move and long-term strategy of "pulling a thousand pounds with four liang". It not only boosts consumption and drives production, but also brings about a "rejuvenation" of the quality of life and development, ultimately strengthening confidence in the Chinese economy. (New Society)