Core Viewpoint - The construction of a unified national market requires the regulation of local investment attraction behaviors and the elimination of local protectionism, with tax incentive policies being a key measure to break local protectionism [2][4][5]. Tax Competition Indicators - Two tax competition indicators have been established: the provincial tax competition index, which indicates the intensity of tax competition and the attractiveness of tax policies to enterprises, and the tax refund rate for listed companies in each province, which measures the proportion of tax exemptions for listed companies [6][7][8]. - The current tax competition index is close to its highest value in the past 30 years, reflecting the necessity of a unified national market [7][23]. Four Types of Competition Models - The 31 provinces can be categorized into four competition models based on the tax competition index and the tax refund rate for listed companies: 1. **Free Type**: Low tax competition index and low refund rate (e.g., Beijing, Tianjin) indicating minimal local protectionism [15]. 2. **Strong Type**: Low tax competition index and high refund rate (e.g., Jiangxi, Zhejiang) focusing on attracting large enterprises [15]. 3. **Depressed Type**: High tax competition index and low refund rate (e.g., Henan, Jilin) indicating high overall tax policy attractiveness but low emphasis on listed companies [15]. 4. **Preferential Type**: High tax competition index and high refund rate (e.g., Hunan, Shandong) indicating the highest local protectionism and urgent need for a unified market [15]. Tax Competition Index Analysis - The tax competition index has been rising since 2010, with a projected average of 0.88 for 2024, nearing the maximum value of 0.9 observed in the past 30 years [23][24]. - The highest tax competition indices are found in Central and Northeast China, while the lowest are in South and North China [24]. Tax Refund Rate for Listed Companies - The national tax refund rate for listed companies has been around 5% to 10% over the past 30 years, with a significant increase to 15% in 2024, reflecting a higher level of tax relief compared to historical averages [28][29]. - The highest tax refund rates for listed companies are observed in Jiangxi (38.2%), Zhejiang (36.7%), and Hunan (35.6%), while the lowest are in Shanxi (1.6%) and Guizhou (2.4%) [29].

Group 1: Macro Insights - The central government emphasizes the need to advance the construction of a unified national market, addressing local protectionism as a significant barrier to this goal[2] - Tax competition among local governments is a key factor contributing to local protectionism, with tax incentives being a primary tool for attracting investment[2][3] - The current tax competition index is close to its highest level in the past 30 years, indicating the urgency for a unified market[3][14] Group 2: Tax Competition Indicators - Two tax competition indicators are constructed: the provincial tax competition index and the tax refund rate for listed companies, which reflect local protection tendencies[3][11] - The provincial tax competition index averages 0.88 in 2024, nearing the historical maximum of 0.9, with significant regional variations[6][26] - The highest tax competition index is found in Hunan (1.83), while the lowest is in Shanghai (0.22) and Beijing (0.24)[7][26] Group 3: Tax Refund Rates - The national tax refund rate for listed companies reached 15% in 2024, significantly above the long-term average of 5%-10%[8][32] - Jiangxi has the highest tax refund rate at 38.2%, while Shanxi has the lowest at 1.6%[9][32] - Regional disparities exist, with East China and South China showing the highest tax refund rates, while Northwest and North China exhibit the lowest[9][32]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that building a unified market in China is essential for modernizing the economy, and reducing transaction costs is key to achieving this goal [2][5][6] - Transaction costs are identified as the main barrier to market unification, with administrative divisions and local protectionism being significant contributors [2][5][6] - The concept of a unified market is linked to economic efficiency, emphasizing the importance of specialization and division of labor to enhance productivity [4][5] Group 2 - The article highlights that the transition from a planned economy to a market economy has shifted the role of local governments from direct producers to indirect tax collectors, impacting transaction costs [10] - It suggests that the focus of reducing transaction costs should shift from downstream product markets to upstream factor markets in the context of building a unified market [9][10] - The relationship between central and local governments is crucial in addressing transaction costs, as local governments often create barriers that hinder market integration [8][10]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the increasing complexity and organization of bid-rigging crimes, which disrupt the bidding market and harm legitimate business interests [1][2]. Group 1: Characteristics of Bid-Rigging Crimes - Bid-rigging crimes are characterized by a diversification of perpetrators, covert methods, and organized crime networks [1]. - Notable cases reveal blatant illegal activities, such as threats to other bidders and collusion among bidding agents, indicating local power dynamics at play [1]. - The bidding market in certain regions resembles a "familiar economy," where local firms form alliances that disadvantage external competitors, regardless of their qualifications [1]. Group 2: Underlying Issues and Mechanisms - The institutionalization of industry "hidden rules" is a significant issue, with tailored bidding parameters and bribery of evaluation experts being common practices [1]. - A complete "interest distribution" mechanism exists, where bidding parties receive kickbacks, agents earn fees, and participating firms receive "hardship payments," creating a distorted ecosystem [1]. - Law-abiding companies are marginalized, facing a "bad money drives out good" scenario [1]. Group 3: Proposed Solutions - Breaking the current deadlock requires more than judicial action; a unified national bidding credit system is essential to eliminate local protectionism [2]. - There is a need to regulate "red-top intermediaries" and sever the profit-sharing chains [2]. - Promoting industry self-regulation and establishing a "blacklist" system for violators can impose significant credit penalties on those involved in bid-rigging [2]. - The release of typical case studies signals a positive shift, indicating that judicial authorities recognize the need for case-by-case regulation [2].