BEIJING -- China's government will subsidize appliance purchases by citizens in its poorer regions as part of a massive program aimed at recharging the domestic consumer electronics industry.

Under the new program, called Delivering Appliances to the Countryside, farmers will be given 13% subsidies toward the purchase of new refrigerators, washers, televisions and cellphones. The program set a goal of 480 million units sold under the program over the next four years.

China's National Bureau of Statistics estimates penetration rates of 94 color TVs, 26 refrigerators and 46 washing machines per every 100 rural households, well behind the marks of 138 color TVs, 95 refrigerators and 97 washing machines for every 100 urban households, according to published reports.

• Prev
• Next