The cityscape of Luohu district in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Feb. 5, 2021. [sznews.com]

A Chinese political advisor told China.org.cn on Wednesday that she believed Shenzhen's Luohu district has done right in building itself into an international consumer hub.

Wu Yihuan, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the vice mayor of Shenzhen, is currently in Beijing to attend the fourth session of China's top political advisory body, which will run from March 4-10.

Recalling the "2020 gift from Luohu" digital yuan test launch co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the People's Bank of China in October 2020, Wu said that the general public was quite positive about the campaign.

During the event, 50,000 "red envelopes" containing 200 yuan ($29.88) each, were handed out to local residents through a system on the iShenzhen app. The money can be used to make purchases at 3,389 designated shops, including supermarkets, retail stores, and restaurants. It is hoped that the giveaway will also promote the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as stimulate consumption and domestic demands.

“It has been an ongoing plan to build Luohu into an international consumer center, so this is one of the things that is worth doing," she said.

During Luohu’s development spanning more than four decades, Wu described how she is proud of efforts made by the district to systematically attract top commercial attractions, boosting consumption. "It now has many quite good, high-end commercial networks and outlets and huge consumer venues such as The Mixc (Shenzhen), the oldest major shopping mall in Shenzhen and which is at the heart of the Luohu district, boasting top international brands and shops found elsewhere in the world."

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the advisor believes Luohu will continue to innovate, as well as promote and stimulate consumption to fulfill its own vision.

Luohu district, established in March 1979, is one of the six oldest areas of Shenzhen. In 2019, local GDP reached 239.03 billion yuan and earnings from Luohu’s service sector were the highest among all Shenzhen districts. The district's economic density is also higher than the city's average.