A netizen from people.com.cn recently asked: How should we understand the often-mentioned "advantage of a super-large market"? I have noticed that in the first quarter of this year, domestic demand contributed 84.7 percent to economic growth. How can the advantage of a super-large market be turned into a development advantage for our country?

This netizen's question strikes at the core issue, representing not only a follow-up on a popular economic term, but also a concern for future development.

When talking about a super-large market, discussion of "scale" is unavoidable. In fact, "large size" itself is an advantage.

China has a population of over 1.4 billion and the world's largest middle-income group. Any demand multiplied by more than 1.4 billion constitutes an enormous scale. On the one hand, as residents' incomes steadily rise, demand for goods and services is rapidly shifting from "whether there is" to "whether it is good." On the other hand, within the demand of more than 1.4 billion people lies vast space for the close integration of investment in physical capital and investment in people.

From the demand side alone, the massive and diverse needs of a super-large market can firmly underpin the stable operation of China's economy.

So, how can the advantage of a super-large market be transformed into a development advantage?

The carrying capacity of a super-large market enables consumption to serve as the "ballast stone" of economic growth.

Trendy new consumer products favored by young people reveal the market momentum driven by emotional value; "silver-haired trains" running across the country reflect the comprehensive upgrading of elderly demand; immersive check-in experiences going viral on social media continue to expand new scenarios for the experience economy…

From food, clothing, housing and transportation to education, healthcare, culture and tourism, from material satisfaction to spiritual enjoyment, from single consumption to integrated consumption scenarios, new business forms and models are constantly emerging, painting a vibrant picture of consumption.

Last year, final consumption expenditure contributed 52 percent to China's economic growth. In the first quarter of this year, final consumption expenditure drove GDP growth by 2.4 percentage points. The role of consumption as the "main engine" continues to strengthen, making the strong domestic market a "stabilizing anchor" in addressing risks and challenges and maintaining overall development stability.

The innovation momentum of a super-large market provides strong driving forces for industrial upgrading.

A super-large market not only gives rise to a complete industrial system and supporting capabilities, but also provides a "testing ground" and "incubator" for technological innovation. In the face of diversified and quality-oriented demand upgrades, enterprises are more motivated to innovate and have more stable development expectations, while strong economies of scale help dilute R&D costs, thereby encouraging companies to invest in research and explore new paths. From "trading market for technology" to "creating technology with the market," the super-large market helps consolidate the foundation of a manufacturing powerhouse.

Different clothes need to be washed separately? The "four-drum" washing machine has become a new market star; elderly people living alone fear accidents? Smartwatches now feature fall-detection alarms; attending meetings with needs? AI-powered glasses help users deliver speeches without scripts and provide real-time translation…

China's super-large market can both achieve rapid mass production and offer personalized customization, providing diverse and refined application scenarios for various innovations. Whether it is "small and beautiful" consumer tech products or high-end precision manufacturing equipment, all can quickly achieve industrialization and iterative upgrades here.

The openness and vitality of a super-large market ensure that the Chinese market remains fertile ground for enterprises to invest and operate.

Recent exhibitions offer a glimpse of the opportunities brought by China's super-large market — the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo attracted more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, with international exhibits accounting for 65 percent, up 20 percentage points from last year; the 139th Canton Fair attracted over 210,000 overseas buyers to register. Against the backdrop of global geopolitical turbulence and sluggish economic recovery, China's door to opening-up continues to widen. This openness and inclusiveness make the Chinese market a "preferred choice" for enterprises from all countries.

"Walking with China means walking with opportunities" and "investing in China means investing in the future" have become a growing consensus among foreign-funded enterprises. The Swire Coca-Cola Kunshan plant, East China's Jiangsu Province, with a total investment of 2 billion yuan, is about to officially start production; Schneider Electric has announced the construction of two new plants in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, and Wuxi, Jiangsu, and the upgrade of its Beijing R&D center; AstraZeneca plans to invest more than 100 billion yuan in China before 2030…

In the first quarter of 2026, China's total imports and exports of goods grew by 15 percent year-on-year, with the quarterly growth rate reaching a five-year high. Foreign-funded enterprises continue to increase investment in China, casting votes of confidence with real capital, while the Chinese market responds with its vast capacity and potential. The interaction between domestic and international factors and the two-way empowerment not only rely on the domestic market to stabilize the foundation of development, but also expand growth space through openness and cooperation, firmly grasping the initiative for development in a complex international environment.

Advancing into the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, from consumption upgrading to improvements in people's livelihoods, from industrial innovation to opening-up and cooperation, the advantages of a super-large market are being continuously transformed into development advantages. This not only provides solid confidence for the country's progress, but also forms the foundation of people's well-being, offering strong support for China's economic ship to ride the waves and sail steadily toward long-term success.

This was compiled from an article originally published on the front page of the People's Daily on April 20, 2026.