A business survey on the gross social consumption volume in six big cities of China finds that about 20 percent of China's consumption market is occupied by six big cities, i.e, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan and Chongqing, whose total retail sales volume has amounted to 928.965 bln yuan.

In 2004 Shanghai still takes the lead in the commercial sector of the inland. Beijing's total retail sales volume has exceeded 200 bln yuan for the first time. The growth rate of 14.4 percent has made Beijing approached Shanghai. Tianjin's total retail sales volume has surpassed 100 bln yuan for the first time too, making it the fourth city with total retail sales volume over 100 bln yuan in China.

By People's Daily Online