BEIJING -- China is taking steps to boost consumption ahead of an upcoming eight-day national holiday, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, which will last from Sept 29 to Oct 6 this year, is traditionally a peak season for consumption. To energize the consumption market, the ministry will launch a wide range of promotional activities and innovate consumption scenarios, spokesperson He Yadong told a regular press conference.

China will fully implement the existing policies in spurring consumption and is planning to release a batch of measures to support the auto aftermarket and other key areas, according to He.

He said the ministry will speed up the development of international consumption center cities and promote the sound development of new forms and models of consumer spending.