As part of efforts to boost the economy and drive domestic demand, the Chinese Communist Party is vigorously promoting the “trade-in for new” program for consumer goods. In a community in the Wuqing District of Tianjin, a survey has been initiated where grid personnel are even visiting residents’ homes to register information about the usage lifespan of sixteen types of household appliances. This mobilization of manpower and financial resources has aroused discontent among the public, with many feeling their privacy has been violated.
Recently, a message circulating within a WeChat group in a community in Wuqing District, Tianjin, revealed that grid personnel had started compiling data on the lifespan of household appliances in residents’ homes. Residents can simply scan a QR code to fill out the registration form. The survey questionnaire not only covers major appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines but also meticulously records details about smaller appliances like induction cookers, rice cookers, and electric fans.
Some residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the survey. They feel that household appliances are durable goods, and replacing them when they break down is a normal practice, so why resort to a survey to promote this behavior? It is believed that unnecessary work should be reduced, and the money saved should be directly allocated to the people.
It is claimed that this initiative is laying the groundwork for the upcoming large-scale “trade-in for new” activities in the district. Some residents have questioned whether solely relying on this survey can provide accurate data to support the implementation of the “trade-in for new” program. Many believe that regardless of incentives like “trade-in for new” or other consumer stimulation measures, the key factors for people’s willingness to spend lie in having a genuine need and sufficient financial resources to support their consumption.
The above information has sparked discussions online. Netizens have expressed various opinions, with some criticizing the intrusive nature of the survey and the government’s subsequent efforts to encourage residents to replace perfectly functioning appliances with new ones. Others have highlighted the financial constraints faced by some residents and questioned the necessity and effectiveness of such extensive data collection.
Amid the official push for the “trade-in for new” program, the Chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, Jiang Feng, stated on April 15th that household appliances, like food products, also have a “shelf life,” and the public’s belief that appliances should only be replaced when they are broken is a misconception. According to the association’s guidelines, refrigerators and air conditioners have a lifespan of 10 years, while washing machines and water heaters should be replaced after 8 years. Based on these guidelines, it is estimated that about 150 million units of relevant products in China will need to be replaced by 2022.
These statements have led to mixed reactions on social media platforms. Some netizens joked about buying new appliances if offered financial incentives, while others criticized the environmental impact and questioned the ethics of the government’s actions in promoting excessive consumption in the name of economic growth.