8 policies concerning people’s lives from the past week

2016-12-05
english.gov.cn

Continue cutting taxes

The central authorities will allocate fixed-amount tax rebates to local governments to help local officials meet the balance.

The VAT system was rolled out nationwide in May to replace the business tax. By the end of October, companies saved 96.5 billion yuan (about $14 billion) in taxes, according to a statement released after the meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Nov 29.

The government estimates that a total of 500 billion yuan will be saved this year, taking into account tax reductions in test industries earlier this year. 

Promote service consumption

Tourism companies will be encouraged to expand domestic and international cruise routes, and the 15-day visa-free policy in Shanghai will be introduced to other parts of the nation.

Efforts will be made to integrate brick-and-mortar bookstores with cultural tourism, innovation and design, trade and logistics industries creating cultural sites that have multiple functions for reading, exhibition, communication, and leisure activities.

Efforts will be made to provide access to students and the public to use school gymnasiums and stadiums.

Policies to open up the elderly service market and improve elderly care services will be implemented, and thresholds for elderly care institutions will be lowered to increase high-quality products and services for elders.

Reforms will be enhanced in educational institutions established by State-owned enterprises, and social capital is encouraged to get involved in educational training.

Promote entrepreneurship in rural areas

According to a State Council document, migrant workers, college graduates, retired servicemen, scientists and technicians will be encouraged to start up businesses in the countryside to aid rural economic development.

New agribusinesses including large-scale farming, farm produce processing, leisure agriculture, rural tourism, producer and consumer services are priorities of the policy support, it said.

Specific measures include easing market access, improving rural financial services, increasing fiscal support and providing vocational training.

Improve national standards on food safety

The five-year plan includes pledges to improve the evaluation on food safety risks — such as evaluation of 25 harmful ingredients in food — and complete the 6th study of the Chinese diet.

Build modern farms

Modern farms are expected to have characteristic natural or cultural resources, which can attract tourists, and will have complete infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and entertainment.

More effective use of subsidies for compulsory education

According to the circular, more money will be injected into schools in rural regions, especially for the recruitment of teachers and student meals.

Conduct supervision on food safety in rural regions

The circular vowed to solve food safety problems in rural areas and build a clean market environment.

Regulation on travel brokers

The draft asked travel brokers to list the real prices for travel activities and shopping items in the contract. Brokers are banned from cheating tourists or forcing them to shop or participate in other paid activities.