-- Efforts to stabilize employment

Chinese authorities on July 16 released a circular aimed at supporting small stores as part of efforts to increase employment, expand consumption and improve people's livelihoods.

The circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and six other government departments, detailed measures to develop 1,000 clusters of small stores nationwide by 2025.

E-commerce platforms, logistics firms, trading enterprises and central kitchens are encouraged to cooperate with small stores to reduce their costs, according to the circular.