China lowers minimum amount for tax refunds for tourists
Beijing, April 27: China announced a lower threshold for tax refunds for foreign tourists among a series of policies on Sunday to boost consumption as its economy comes under pressure during a trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Travelers can apply for a tax refund if they spend 200 yuan (about USD 27) at the same store on the same day and meet other requirements starting Saturday, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities. Previously, the minimum amount was 500 yuan (about USD 69).
The upper limit for their tax rebate in cash also has been doubled to 20,000 yuan (USD 2,745).
The government will expand the coverage of tax refund shops and streamline the procedures. Officials encourage some regions to set up refund points for travellers to get rebates immediately after their purchases in areas highly concentrated with tourists, the statement said.
China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping told reporters in a news conference that inbound tourist consumption accounted for about 0.5 per cent of China’s gross domestic product in 2024, while figures in other major countries ranged between 1 per cent and 3 per cent. That indicated a great potential for growth, Sheng said.
Last year, inbound tourists’ spending hit USD 94.2 billion, up 77.8 per cent, he added.
China’s economy expanded at a 5.4 per cent annual pace in January-March, the government said earlier this month, supported by strong exports ahead of US President Donald Trump’s rapid increases in tariffs on Chinese products.
But analysts expected the world’s second largest economy would slow significantly in the coming months as tariffs as high as 145 per cent on US imports from China take effect. Beijing has hit back at the US with 125 per cent tariffs on American exports, while also stressing its determination to keep its own markets open to trade and investment.
China has stepped up efforts to spur more consumer spending and private sector investment over the past months, doubling down on subsidies for auto and appliance trade-ins and channelling more funding for housing and other cash-strapped industries. (AP)
UAE shapes future with digital infrastructure, AI innovation
Abu Dhabi, April 27: The UAE has established itself as a global leader in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) integration across government and private sectors, driven by innovative initiatives and significant investments in both infrastructure and skilled human resources.
In 2017, the UAE government launched the “UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence,” aiming to enhance government efficiency, develop a digital ecosystem, and position the country as a top investor in AI technologies by 2031. The strategy focuses on sectors such as transportation, renewable energy, education, health, and the environment.
This vision has resulted in the UAE leading in AI and blockchain adoption, making it a global frontrunner. The country has been the global leader for nine consecutive years in the fibre-to-the-home network coverage, reaching 99.5 percent of its total area.
It also ranked first in the world for mobile speeds and second for fixed broadband speeds during March 2025, according to Ookla reports, highlighting the strength of its digital infrastructure.
AI adoption has improved government services, with many being restructured using intelligent technologies, enhancing customer experiences and service quality. The UAE topped the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index as per the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, reflecting its efforts to integrate AI for sustainable development. (ANI)
Move to change Weibo account name sparks outrage over LGBTQ censorship
Beijing, April 27: A well-known account on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo was forced to alter its name from “Voice of Comrade” because the term is associated with homosexuality, leading to strong backlash against Chinese authorities who are notorious for censoring gay-themed content, according to a report from Radio Free Asia (RFA).
The term “tongzhi” or “comrade,” commonly used by the Communist Party in China to address its members, has in recent years been adopted by the gay community in the country to refer to homosexual individuals, replacing previously derogatory terms, the RFA report stated.
On Tuesday, the account name “Voice of Comrade” was abruptly removed and replaced with the original user ID number. The following day, the account name was changed to “Voices of Pride” to comply with national Internet regulations, according to its moderator, inciting significant anger among Chinese internet users over the clear censorship, as mentioned in the RFA report. “The unexpected prohibition of this name can be viewed as yet another instance of the Chinese government’s infringement on human rights,” said human rights activist Pan Jiawei, who noted that this Weibo account has been an essential source of information for sexual minority groups in China since its inception in 2009, as quoted by RFA. (ANI)