TX_Chick makes a great point: why buy things here when you can buy them and get a trip abroad for about the same money, maybe even less?
Think about it -- how much stuff do you buy when you're traveling, either abroad or back to your home country because 1) that brand doesn't exist in China; 2) it's more expensive in China; 3) your size isn't available in China. After many years here, there is still a whole raft of things I not only would never buy here, but wouldn't consider doing so.
Case in point: do you know that when Solana opened, there was an L.L. Bean store there? But the outlet ultimately closed because consumers of the brand in China could get it cheaper either in the US or by some form of mail order.
I agree with Admin -- the stats are relevant because it's obvious tourists from China are spending lots when they're abroad, much more than most of their counterparts from any other country.