Caixin published a piece yesterday on the tug and pull between conservation and development in Yunnan, and more specifically, of Kunming's Dianchi.
"Southwest China' s scenic Yunnan province has intensified efforts to protect its many lakes, demolishing hundreds of illegally constructed buildings in the process. But demand for development and corruption are hurdles to conservation:"
Just published on SCMP titled: "China’s expat tax system: who pays and how does it work?"
- "Recent plans by Beijing to reform tax exemptions on expatriate employee allowances have thrown the spotlight on China’s tax regime for foreigners"
Link:
"Who needs to pay individual income tax in China?
Chinese law stipulates that individuals who are domiciled in the mainland, or live in the country for a total of 183 days in a tax year, will be categorised as tax residents. However, only after staying in the country for six straight years, without exiting for more than 30 days, will global income be taxed.
Non-residents pay taxes only on the income earned in China.
What kind of income is taxed in China?
The IIT levy is applicable to people earning wages, salaries, pay for authors or personal services, plus income from royalties, business operations, interest, dividends and bonuses. Revenue from property leasing or transactions, as well as contingent income, is also taxed."
7-tier individual income tax rate bracket chart and municipal level tax break info for expats also mentioned in the above article published one hour ago.
"... amid pressure from foreign businesses, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced in late December the tax breaks will be extended for two more years.
Meanwhile, year-end bonuses will not be included solely in the month they are offered, but split evenly across 12 months, before 2024. Equity incentives offered by listed companies will be taxed separately until the end of this year."
More details in the piece. I'm not going to copy and paste the whole thing.
Also, the suspension of tours has been lifted for most cities in Yunnan. Welcoming news for a portion of the local economy.
Good news. Kunming's tracking/tracing code back to normal from previous elevated medium-high risk status.
Data from the NHC shows the Mainland province with the most number of days in 2021 with reported local symptomatic covid cases is none other than Yunnan (with 92 days).
Followed by Heilongjiang, Hebei, and Bejing.
Graphic chart ranking of all provinces compiled by Reuters:
The steady influx of imported cases as a bordering SW province to various neighbors, particularly the one across Ruili, is probably the main contributor for Yunnan.
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For a limited time until June 26, 2022, the 66th top floor observatory will be open to public for free. Visiting hours: 14:00 - 21:00, weekends and holidays. One of the best breathtaking views of the cityscape. Great for family. Below the skyscraper is intersection of MRT Line 3 (pink) with Line 2/1.
For those following the tragic saga of the baby calf elephant (born at Kunming Zoo), who was forcibly separated from its mother to perform as solo act elsewhere for profit, there's finally some good news. After months of social media uproar and complaints over the cruel treatments of the calf in tears during training in leaked vids, the calf is soon returning back to our local zoo. The visibly depressed mother and calf will soon be reunited after a brief quarantine period. One extra star for the zoo for adhering to the voices of the public. A step in the right direction. More compassion for our animal friends in captivity.
Spring Festival in Yunnan – Year of the Tiger
发布者Well, that comment streak didn't last long.
The tiger may socialize pending environmental circumstances, but for the most part are at peace in solitude.
Hiking in Lijiang: Dry River Valley
发布者Informative piece, Pieter!
Look. Who is that sitting in the shade under a lone milk tree in Milk Lake?
It's "dog for a day"... your furry protector companion!
Limestone is often the oasis mirage of snow on Jade Dragon.
Quite a few hikers would get lost in mountains of Yunnan over the years. Notable search & rescues hit recent news which didn't end well. Understandable park officials would frown at those who stray off beaten path.
Urban re-greening effort to include 37 new Kunming parks
发布者Below are pictures and updates on the upcoming renovation of Green Lake (North Gate area) where the original Jingzheng Academy once stood. Currently a massive empty lot devoid of life walled off from pedestrians.
For those wondering about the fate of those lush greens that once grew there (45 trees such as ginkgo biloba, sweet-scented osmanthus, and pseudo-particulate magnolia):
"According to the seedling transplant plan and the new landscape design plan reviewed and approved by experts, 30 seedlings (20 ginkgo and 10 osmanthus) are tentatively scheduled to be moved back to the original site of Cuihu, and the seedlings will first be transplanted to the Daxing seedling plant in Yiliang County, Kunming City for management., after the terrain of the Cuihu project is completed, it will be transported and transplanted at the corresponding location of the site according to the project landscape plan.
The 15 seedlings (4 ginkgo, 1 sweet-scented osmanthus, 3 fishtail sunflowers, and 5 pseudo-singular magnolias) that are not used in the landscape design plan will be permanently transplanted to the greening area of Wuhua District. Sirloin Nursery."
Planning photos:
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Source: m.sohu.com/a/526176943_121123812/?pvid=000115_3w_a
Spring City's firefighters put out fire in Xishan District
发布者Yesterday's billowing wildfire in Xishan blew northward into the night from perhaps late afternoon. The apparent cause was a cigarette butt. Please dispose of smokes properly during this dry period.
Kunming's antique markets – great places to spend your weekend
发布者Whenever you crouch down to look at items laid out on the ground, be sure to keep your personal belongings and valuables tucked in the center of your body to avoid being pickpocketed.