BARKIN: labor market remains stable, but payroll gains are still slow.

Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Wang Jianhua told a State Council briefing on Sept. 24 that China’s cultural industry generated 20.8 trillion yuan in revenue in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 8.4% over the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25). Domestic trips reached 6.52 billion and tourism spending hit 6.3 trillion yuan, both record highs. Paid performances totaled 640,000 shows and box office receipts reached 61.6 billion yuan, with both up more than 6% YoY.

India cut the basic import duty on refined sunflower oil to 22.5% from 32.5%.