China’s Ministry of Commerce has proposed new government guidelines that will encourage big cities to build more shopping centres to facilitate the country’s growing consumer market, Reuters reports.
The ministry said that cities with over 10 million permanent residents should build at least 10 “multi-functional” shopping centres this year. Smaller cities with a permanent resident population of between five and 10 million should aim for at least 5 new centres.
In a statement posted on the ministry’s website, it said that local investors and retail chains will also be encouraged to back the project.