Core Viewpoint - The announcement to reinstate VAT on interest income from newly issued government bonds and financial bonds starting August 8, 2025, raises questions about its net impact on government revenue and expenditure, suggesting that the effects are not neutral as many investors believe [4][9]. Group 1: Economic Implications - The policy is expected to increase both government revenue from VAT and interest expenditure on new bonds, indicating a simultaneous rise in both aspects [4][9]. - Viewing the situation from a cyclical perspective, the policy could enhance internal circulation, benefiting both government and the real economy through increased tax revenue and interest income [9][18]. Group 2: Theoretical Framework - The concepts of monetary neutrality and Ricardian equivalence are introduced to analyze the effectiveness of fiscal policies, suggesting that in reality, these policies do have significant impacts despite theoretical assumptions [10][17]. - The discussion emphasizes that market participants often lack the rationality required to fully understand the long-term implications of such policies, leading to misinterpretations of their neutrality [18][19]. Group 3: Internal Circulation and Inflation - The relationship between nominal wages and inflation is explored, indicating that increases in nominal wages can enhance internal circulation by raising both wage expenses for businesses and income for households [20][23]. - The article argues that the long-term low CPI in the domestic market is a result of systemic issues across various economic factors, including tax policies [26][30]. Group 4: Policy Signals - The reinstatement of VAT on government bonds signals a potential increase in the likelihood of canceling other tax exemptions and subsidies, particularly on government bond income tax [28][40]. - The discussion highlights the need for a systemic approach to understanding the factors contributing to internal economic challenges, rather than focusing on isolated elements [30][49].

Group 1 - The announcement from the regulatory authority indicates that starting from August 8, 2025, interest income from newly issued government bonds, local government bonds, and financial bonds will be subject to value-added tax, while those issued before this date will continue to be exempt until maturity [1][2]. - Investors express confusion over the policy, noting that the removal of tax exemptions will increase the new issuance rates of government bonds, thereby raising government interest expenses, while simultaneously increasing government VAT revenue, leading to a perceived net effect of zero [2][3]. - The article emphasizes the importance of the economic process, suggesting that the dynamics of economic activities are more significant than the static outcomes [4][6]. Group 2 - The policy is viewed as a means to expand the internal economic cycle, with both tax revenue and interest expenses increasing from the government's perspective, and interest income and tax expenditures rising from the perspective of the real economy [6][12]. - Two significant economic concepts are introduced: the neutrality of money and Ricardian equivalence, which explore whether changes in nominal amounts affect real economic outcomes [7][11]. - The article argues that in reality, neither monetary policy nor fiscal policy is neutral, as market participants often lack the rationality and foresight assumed in economic theories [14][12]. Group 3 - The restoration of VAT on government bond interest signals a potential increase in the likelihood of canceling other tax exemptions and social subsidies, particularly the 25% income tax on government bonds [29][40]. - The discussion highlights that the factors contributing to long-term low CPI are systemic and multifaceted, with fiscal policies playing a significant role [25][26]. - The article suggests that the government has two options regarding bond interest: to either keep it low to suppress domestic prices and stimulate exports or to raise it to enhance nominal prices and expand the internal cycle [27][28].

Core Viewpoint - The article deeply analyzes the origins of modern central banking and discusses the relationship between fiscal and monetary policies in macroeconomic regulation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear boundaries and coordination between the two [3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context and Evolution - The emergence of modern central banks is closely linked to the establishment of fiscal discipline and the gold standard, with the Bank of England recognized as the first modern central bank [8][9]. - The evolution of fiscal and monetary policies has been shaped by historical events, including the Great Depression, which highlighted the need for government intervention in economic activities [22][27]. - The transition from strict gold standard to a more flexible monetary system allowed central banks to adjust liquidity and money supply, reflecting the changing economic landscape [19][20]. Group 2: Policy Framework and Coordination - Fiscal and monetary policies are distinct yet interconnected tools for macroeconomic management, requiring independent decision-making by fiscal authorities and central banks to avoid severe issues [4][6]. - The article advocates for a clear delineation of responsibilities between fiscal and monetary policies, suggesting that both should adapt to the economic context while maintaining their primary objectives [4][30]. - The coordination of fiscal and monetary policies is essential for effective macroeconomic regulation, particularly in addressing short-term fluctuations and long-term structural reforms [4][31]. Group 3: Implications for Future Policy - The article emphasizes the need for reform in fiscal systems to enhance the effectiveness of macroeconomic policies, particularly in the context of China's economic development [4][30]. - It suggests that improving the decision-making mechanisms for fiscal and monetary policies can lead to better economic outcomes, particularly in promoting high-quality growth [4][30]. - The importance of communication with the market during crisis responses is highlighted, indicating that both fiscal and monetary authorities should work collaboratively to manage economic challenges [4][30].

Group 1 - The book "The Power of Money" by Paul Sheard discusses various aspects of money, including its creation, government debt concerns, destructive effects of money, and the potential of cryptocurrencies to disrupt existing monetary systems [2][4][24] - Sheard emphasizes the common misunderstandings and controversies surrounding money, suggesting that many people's perceptions are flawed and need clarification [2][5] - The relationship between the real economy and the monetary economy is complex, with money being essential for economic health, contrary to the traditional view that money is neutral [4][10] Group 2 - Money is fundamentally a social construct, gaining value through collective acceptance, and modern money is fiat currency, backed by government trust rather than physical commodities [5][7] - Central banks play a crucial role in money issuance, typically using commercial banks as intermediaries to inject money into the economy [7][8] - Government debt, primarily in the form of national bonds, is often misunderstood; unlike personal or corporate debt, government debt can be sustained due to the government's long-term existence and creditworthiness [10][12] Group 3 - The destructive potential of money is highlighted, particularly in the context of financial crises, where liquidity can vanish suddenly, leading to severe economic impacts [15][16] - The concept of liquidity is multifaceted, affecting how assets are traded and the stability of financial markets, especially during crises [16][17] - The U.S. dollar remains the dominant international currency, but its status is being challenged by geopolitical factors and the U.S. government's actions, leading to discussions about alternative currencies [22][23] Group 4 - Cryptocurrencies, while not yet a serious challenge to sovereign currencies, are gaining attention for their potential to disrupt traditional monetary systems and prompt central banks to innovate [24][26] - The emergence of cryptocurrencies has led to a reevaluation of payment systems and monetary policy, as they present both opportunities and risks for central banks [26][27] - The book provides a broad analysis of money, acknowledging that the discussion around it is vast and complex, with many dimensions yet to be explored [27]