China Briefing Partners with China Daily and IBISWorld to Provide China Industry Reports

Mar. 2 – China Briefing has partnered with China Daily and the market research firms All China Marketing Research and IBISWorld to provide a series of industry reports covering a number of sectors

Written by dedicated researchers from China Daily and ACMR-IBISWorld, these reports are listed on the Asia Briefing Bookstore and include the following titles:

China Daily
AutoChina
China Banking
China Energy Read the rest of this entry »



Paying Tax by Installment in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Feb. 24 – As the region slowly recovers from the effects of the financial crisis, some business may still be struggling to manage their cash flow.

Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department allows payment of taxes by installment for taxpayers having financial difficulties. Taxpayers will need to submit an installment application to the agency and if approved a surcharge not exceeding 5 percent of the outstanding amount will be imposed. Read the rest of this entry »



China’s High-Speed Rail Reaches 3,000 Km

Feb. 18 – China’s operational high-speed railways have exceeded 3,300 kilometers, the Ministry of Railways said on its website Thursday.

China finished two high-speed railways in 2009, one running between Wuhan-Guangzhou and the other between Zhengzhou-Xi’an. Both lines have an operating speed of 350 kph. China also has high-speed railways linking Beijing with Tianjin, Shijiazhuang with Taiyuan, Qingdao with Jinan, and Hefei with Wuhan and Nanjing. Read the rest of this entry »



Hong Kong Express Rail Link with Mainland Approved

Photo: Hong Kong dear Edward/FlickrJan. 18 – Hong Kong authorities approved a US$8.6 billion express rail link connecting the territory with Guangzhou and Shenzhen over the weekend sparking protests.

The controversial project was approved  by a 31-21 vote dominated by pro-establishment lawmakers. Protesters surrounded the Hong Kong legislature on Saturday claiming the project only benefited a privileged few, failed to seriously consider cheaper alternatives moreover leading to the destruction of homes in the New Territories. Read the rest of this entry »



FedEx Launches First Direct Boeing Cargo Service from Shanghai to United States

SHANGHAI, Jan. 15 – Shipping giant FedEx will launch its first Boeing 777 cargo service from Shanghai to its hub in Memphis, Tennessee.

The new service will give clients in Shanghai, Suzhou and Kunshan a two-hour improvement in cut-off times easing international shipping reports The Associated Press. Read the rest of this entry »



China Launches World’s Fastest Train Route

TrainPhoto: China DailyDec. 28 – The rail link between Wuhan and Guangzhou opened on Saturday in what is described as the world’s fastest train service covering a distance of 1,068 kilometers at the average speed of 350 kph (217 mph).

The distance between the two cities can now be covered in two hours, 45 minutes, and cuts the travel time between the two cities by more than six hours. The train reached a maximum speed of 394 kph during trail runs, while the regular service will use two trains covering the distance while passing through 20 different cities along the route. Read the rest of this entry »



Shanghai Begins Construction of First Mainland Free Port

Photo: Alex Needham/Creative Commons LicenseSHANGHAI, Dec. 18 – The city has begun the construction of the mainland’s first free port slated for completion in 2020.

The Shanghai International Shipping Center will include a Yangshan bonded port area and preferential policies such as remission of tax on Chinese-invested foreign vessels and tax rebates on vessels in departure ports. Read the rest of this entry »



China to Impose Low Tariffs on More Than 600 Commodities

Dec. 16 – The Ministry of Finance has announced that it would temporarily charge low import tariffs for more than 600 commodities beginning next year.

The scope will include natural resource products, key components for optic communications, public health products, consumer products and advanced machines. High export tariffs will still apply to energy-intensive and resource products like crude oil, rare earths, pulp and billet. Read the rest of this entry »



Customs Quota for New Zealand Wool Released

Dec. 8 – The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration Customs (GAC) has released the import customs quota for wool and woolen tops imported from New Zealand.

The new rules clarify distribution, application methods for customs quotas including a regulation that requires quota holders to have a Agricultural Product Import Customs Quota Certificate to be able to import. In addition, application forms may be downloaded from the the Ministry of Commerce website for origin import contract for New Zealand.



Claim Deadline for Input VAT Credits Extended

Dec. 3 – China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has issued  Circular 617 that extends the claim deadline for input value-added tax credits for certain invoices from 90 days to 180 days after issue date starting January 1, 2010.

The circular covers VAT invoices, land and river good transportation invoices, motor vehicle sales invoices, and VAT payment vouchers. Input tax credit claims can be filed within the tax filing period immediately following the month in which the invoices were verified. Read the rest of this entry »