[Economy](/Economy)
Sales rise 4% in early 2025; eight-point blueprint aims to lift minimum wage, buoy stocks
Shoppers in Shanghai in late February. China's government is touting a new plan to shore up consumer spending. © Reuters
WATARU SUZUKI and GRACE LI
SHANGHAI/HONG KONG -- China's government has mapped out an "action plan" that calls for supporting employment and the stock market to stimulate domestic consumption, with investors awaiting more details expected at a news conference later on Monday.
After the plan was unveiled Sunday, the CSI 300 Index, a gauge of Chinese stocks listed on mainland exchanges, opened 0.35% higher on Monday morning, before fluctuating between negative and positive territory. The index had gained 2.43% on Friday and was trading at its highest level in about three months.