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PRICE

Cheap Vegetable Prices are Hurting Farmers

Since April, demand for vegetables like celery and cabbages in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Shaanxi and other areas has declined. The subsequent drop in prices, which saw the price of some vegetables fall to 0.08 yuan per 500g, has put pressure on farmers, with some considering not harvesting their crop and simply let it rot in the ground.

National Business Daily | 2011-04-22

FINANCE

Revenue from Stamp Duties Up 45.1% in March

Yesterday, the Ministry of Finance published first quarter tax revenue figures that revealed that 2.344 trillion yuan in total tax revenue was collected in the first quarter of 2011, a 573.63 billion yuan or 32.4 percent increase on the amount collected in the first quarter of 2010. However, this growth rate was 3.5 percentage points slower than that in the first quarter of last year. Stamp duty...

Shanghai Securities Journal | 2011-04-22

WORKER

Beijing Launches Survey of Employment Conditions Among Migrant Workers

Starting from this year, Beijing will conduct regular surveys of employment trends among the city's migrant worker population. The surveys will be conducted every 6 months and will ask 10,000 workers for details about their occupation, income, social security coverage and other information. This appears to be the first time that Beijing has conducted specialized surveys focused employment conditio...

The Beijing News | 2011-04-22

CULTURE

Statue of Confucius Moved to Less Prominent Location

A 9.5 meter bronze statue of Confucius that was once located in front of the north entrance of the recently refurbished National Muesum of China, has been moved to a less conspicuos position in a "sculpture garden" by the west entrance of the museum. According to officials with the National Museum, the statue was always intended to be placed in the courtyard and, despite an official unveiling cere...

Economic Observer Online | 2011-04-21

ECONOMIC MODEL

Shifting the Economic Development Model a Top Priority for 2011

According to yesterday’s executive meeting of the State Council, in 2011, China will focus on promoting a shift in the development model, ensuring and improving people’s livelihood, furthering administrative and agricultural system reforms, and strengthening anti-corruption efforts.

China Business News | 2011-04-21

INCOME

NDRC Planning Large-Scale Wage Hikes

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is drafting a “large-scale wage-raising” project. In addition to raising the minimum income for personal income tax, the NDRC is planning to raise wages and housing subsidies and establish a mechanism for providing low-income subsidies.

Chongqing Evening News | 2011-04-21

OIL

Shortages at Private Gas Stations

Private wholesale and retail gas stations are having difficulties purchasing from Sinopec and PetroChina. According Qi Fang, executive chairman of the oil federation under the National Association of Industry and Commerce, sourcing oil from local refineries means losses for private stations.

Beijing Times | 2011-04-21