State Council decides to further tax cuts

The State Council executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on April 19, unveiled new tax cut measures to spur economic dynamism and competitiveness. In addition to the 200 billion yuan in tax cuts in the first quarter, the government decided to simplify the structure of VAT reform, expand tax cut incentives for small enterprises with limited profits and increase the proportion of pre-tax deductions for innovation-based tech firms.

Details:>> China furthers tax reductions in favor of business

State Council passes draft law on public libraries

The State Council executive meeting on April 19 passed the draft of the Public Library Act, clarifying government’s responsibility in building public libraries while encouraging social capital to participate. It guided the management, services and digital resources of public resources, as well as integrated development of online and offline platforms.

The draft will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for discussion.

Details:>> Quick view: State Council executive meeting on April 19

Govt raises old-age pension for retirees

Starting from the beginning of this year, the average monthly payment for pensioners from enterprises, government agencies and public institutions has been lifted by 5.5 percent from the 2016 level, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance on April 13.

It is estimated that more than 100 million retirees, including over 89 million enterprise retirees and 17 million from public institutions, will benefit from the policy move.

Details:>> China raises pensions for 13th year in a row

More poor students to be recruited by universities

China’s top-level universities will recruit more students from rural and poor regions in 2017, according to a circular by the Ministry of Education on April 14.

In a regional special program, the universities will enroll 10 percent more poor students in 2017 than in 2016. In a national special program, universities will enroll 63,000 students from underdeveloped regions in 2017, covering impoverished counties and counties with poverty-relief allowances.

Details:>>Chinese universities to recruit more poor students

China starts pilot reform on home- and community-based elderly care services

The Ministry of Civil affairs and Ministry of Finance jointly released a circular on the first batch of home- and community-based elderly care pilot projects, funded by the central government.

The document listed major reform tasks and requirements for 26 prefecture-level cities selected for the pilot project.

The two ministries also released related assessment methods to evaluate the reform results in these cities.

New railway operation route takes effect

Starting from April 16, a new national railway operation route has taken effect. Fifty-one high-speed trains were added, making the total number of in-operation trains in the country reach 7,230. In addition, railway authorities have also increased the number of day-running high-speed trains with sleeping berths to improve people’s travel experiences.

Govt to allow car selling without brand authorization

Staring July, auto trading companies will no longer need to gain authorization from automobile brand owners to sell vehicles, according to new measures unveiled on April 14.

The previous measures implemented since 2005, which require that all car dealers secure authorization from brand owners, will be repealed from July 1, 2017, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in a statement.

In the future, both authorized and unauthorized car sales companies will be allowed to operate, according to the new measures.

“Automobile marketplaces, stores and e-commerce outlets will become the new channels to sell cars in China,” MOC said.

Details:>> China to allow car selling without brand authorization