Core Viewpoint - The recent rumors regarding the increase of value-added tax (VAT) on internet value-added services stem from a misunderstanding of new tax regulations, which only affect basic telecommunications services and do not extend to other internet companies like Tencent [2][3] Group 1: Tax Regulation Changes - Starting from 2026, the VAT rate for basic telecommunications services, such as internet broadband access provided by companies like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, will increase from 6% to 9% [2] - The adjustment is a targeted policy and does not apply to other types of enterprises, clarifying the boundaries of the new tax regulations [2] Group 2: Misinterpretation of Tax Applicability - The erroneous extrapolation of the tax adjustment to internet platform companies like Tencent has led to the misconception of an "internet value-added service tax increase" [2] - Tencent's primary business activities, including online gaming, social platform operations, cloud services, and digital content distribution, fall under the categories of value-added telecommunications services or sales of intangible assets, which remain subject to the 6% VAT rate without any increase [2][3] Group 3: VAT Structure Stability - The statutory VAT rates in China remain at three levels: 13%, 9%, and 6%, with the applicable objects and policy framework remaining stable and unchanged [4]