Group 1: Tax Deductions - The deadline for confirming the 2026 individual income tax special additional deductions is December 31, 2025 [2][3] - Deductions include: - Childcare for children under 3 years: CNY 2,000 per month per child [3] - Education for children: CNY 2,000 per month per child [3] - Elderly care: CNY 3,000 per month for only children, CNY 1,500 per month for non-only children [5] - Housing loan interest: CNY 1,000 per month [5] - Housing rent: CNY 1,500/1,100/800 per month based on city [5] - Continuing education: CNY 400 per month for degree education, CNY 3,600 for vocational qualification [7] - Major medical expenses: Up to CNY 80,000 for out-of-pocket expenses exceeding CNY 15,000 [7] - Personal pension contributions: Up to CNY 12,000 per year [7] Group 2: Housing Fund Loan Rate Adjustment - The personal housing provident fund loan rates will be reduced by 0.25 percentage points starting January 1, 2026 [20][21] - New rates for first-time homebuyers will be 2.1% for loans up to 5 years and 2.6% for loans over 5 years [21] - For second homes, the rates will be 2.525% for loans up to 5 years and 3.075% for loans over 5 years [21] - Example savings on interest for a CNY 1.2 million loan over 30 years will be CNY 57,100.85 for first homes and CNY 59,070.01 for second homes [23] Group 3: Early Childhood Education Registration - The Ministry of Education has issued a new regulation requiring all preschool children in legally operated kindergartens to establish a student record [24][25] - The regulation aims to standardize the management of student records and protect children's educational rights [25] - The management system will ensure that each child has a unique identifier that remains unchanged throughout their educational journey [27]

Core Points - The Changyong Expressway in Hunan Province has implemented a "zero toll" policy, becoming the first long-term free expressway in the province as of November 2, 2025 [2] - The "zero toll" policy means that all vehicles passing through this expressway will incur no toll fees, although fees for other toll roads will still be calculated and charged [2] - Other expressways in China are also transitioning to free passage after their toll periods expire, including the Chengbei Exit Expressway and the Chengmian Expressway in Sichuan Province [2] Industry Implications - The increase in traffic flow due to the free toll policy raises concerns about the maintenance and upkeep of the roads, presenting a challenge for transportation management departments to ensure road quality and service levels without toll revenue [3]

Core Points - From May 1 to May 5, the provincial highway toll stations will waive toll fees for small passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, with the free period determined by the time vehicles exit the toll station [1] - During the "May Day" holiday, the province is expected to experience a peak in travel, with an estimated total of around 16 million vehicles on highways, averaging about 3.2 million vehicles per day, which is 2.05 times the normal traffic [1] - The highest traffic volume is anticipated on May 1, reaching approximately 3.54 million vehicles [1] Traffic Predictions - Traffic congestion is expected at urban toll stations and interchanges, particularly during peak times: the afternoon before the holiday and the morning of the first holiday day [1] - Recommendations include traveling early on the first holiday day or delaying travel until after 12 PM, and returning early on the last holiday day to avoid congestion [1] - Congested routes may include the Airport Expressway, Jinggang'ao Expressway (Xinzheng and Xinxiang sections), Lianhuo Expressway (Kaifeng section), Zhengsha Expressway (Xinmi section), and Zhengmin Expressway (Zhongmou section) [1] - Congested toll stations may include Zhengzhou South Station, East Third Ring North Station, Liulin Station, University South Road Station, Longhai West Road Station, and Zhengzhou Southwest Station [1] - Tourist areas in Kaifeng, Luoyang, Dengfeng, and Jiaozuo are likely to experience heavy congestion near toll stations [1] Travel Recommendations - Travelers are advised to take advantage of the free toll period and exit the highway at the nearest toll station before the free period ends [2] - It is recommended to plan travel times and routes in advance and ensure vehicles are in good condition before traveling [2]