Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Rao Lixin, deputy commissioner of the State Taxation Administration (STA)

Mr. Huang Yun, spokesperson of the STA and director general of the General Office of the STA

Mr. Dai Shiyou, director general of the Tax Policy and Legislation Department of the STA

Mr. Shen Xinguo, director general of the Taxpayer Service Department of the STA

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Sept. 20, 2024 

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Rao Lixin, deputy commissioner of the State Taxation Administration (STA), to brief you on relevant developments and to take your questions. Also present today are Mr. Huang Yun, spokesperson of the STA and director general of the General Office of the STA; Mr. Dai Shiyou, director general of the Tax Policy and Legislation Department of the STA; and Mr. Shen Xinguo, director general of the Taxpayer Service Department of the STA. 

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Rao for his briefing. 

Rao Lixin:

Thank you, Ms. Shou. Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. First of all, I would like to sincerely extend my gratitude to the taxpayers, fee payers and all sectors of society for their long-term concern, understanding and support for taxation work. Today, my colleagues and I will discuss with you all the subject of promoting high-quality development through taxation.

Since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the national tax system has resolutely implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. It has conscientiously fulfilled the responsibilities of tax departments, comprehensively deepened the rule of law in taxation, promoted digital and intelligent upgrades in tax management as well as enforced strict tax regulation. Efforts have been made to create efficient tax services, solidly advance the practice of modern taxation with Chinese characteristics and actively serve high-quality development. This is mainly reflected in four areas:

We are committed to helping enterprises develop by effectively implementing preferential tax and fee policies. Since the beginning of this year, the tax authorities have adhered to collecting tax and fee revenues according to laws and regulations, continuously deepening the "policy to person" approach. Relying on big tax data, they intelligently match preferential policies with applicable individuals and entities as well as carry out targeted policy pushes at specific times to 360 million entities and individuals, sending out 540 million pieces of various preferential tax and fee policy information and ensuring that structural tax and fee reduction policies are solidly implemented. Especially following last year's Central Economic Work Conference, this year's annual sessions of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which emphasized focusing on supporting scientific and technological innovation as well as the development of the manufacturing industry, efforts have been intensified to implement relevant tax and fee support policies. From January to August of this year, the main policies supporting scientific and technological innovation and the development of the manufacturing industry have resulted in tax and fee reductions as well as tax refunds exceeding 1.8 trillion yuan, adding momentum for accelerating the development of new quality productive forces.

We adhere to the principle of putting the people first and continuously strive to enhance the level of tax and fee services. Focusing on "efficiently accomplishing one task," we have continuously implemented the "Spring Breeze Action to Facilitate Citizens' Handling of Tax Affairs." In 2024, we integrated and launched a series of service measures benefiting the public and enterprises. The new electronic tax bureau, with unified standards, has been launched nationwide, reducing the time for tax handling by 20% compared to the past and making tax and fee payments more convenient. We are steadily promoting the comprehensive digitalization of electronic invoices to further enhance taxpayer convenience with using invoices. Additionally, we are vigorously promoting innovative measures such as "reverse invoicing" from recycling enterprises to sellers of scrapped products, actively aiding in large-scale equipment upgrades and the renewal of consumer goods.

We uphold fairness and justice, vigorously maintaining economic and tax order. We continuously establish and improve a dynamic "credit + risk"-based regulatory mechanism, always adhering to law enforcement that is strict, well-regulated, fair and civilized. We avoid disturbing law-abiding businesses while cracking down on tax-related crimes based on laws to effectively maintain economic order and national tax security. Simultaneously, the STA conducts in-depth research and has launched a series of measures to assist in attracting investment to pursue high-quality development, resolutely upholding the integrity of the unified national market.

We practice opening up and sharing, deepening international tax exchange and cooperation. We have expanded China's tax treaty network to 114 countries and regions, strengthened the building of the "TaxExpress" cross-border service brand, and promoted information, policy and service connectivity for cross-border investments. Simultaneously, we are deeply integrated into international tax governance, serving high-level opening up and high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative. On this occasion, I would also like to announce that the fifth Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum (BRITACOF) will be held in Hong Kong from Sept. 24 to 26. Thank you for your attention.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made important arrangements to further deepen reform comprehensively and to advance Chinese modernization. Next, we will intently study and implement the guiding principles of the session, focusing on the implementation of various tax-related reform tasks with relentless perseverance. We strive to make new progress in tax affairs, enhance our capacities and levels to serve high-quality development better, and make greater contributions to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. Thank you.