Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the tax rates applicable to various service sectors, including modern services and living services, highlighting the differences in VAT rates and exemptions for specific services [3][10]. Tax Rates for Living Services - The basic VAT rate for living services is 6% [3]. - Specific service categories and their VAT rates include: - Catering and accommodation: 6% [3] - Education and medical services: exempt from VAT [3] - Cultural and sports services: 6% [3] - Tourism services: 6%, with an option for differential taxation [3] - Entertainment services: 6% [3] - Daily resident services: 6%, with exemptions for marriage introduction and funeral services [3]. Tax Rates for Modern Services - The basic VAT rate for modern services is also 6% [3]. - The article provides a detailed breakdown of various service categories under modern services, although specific categories are not listed in the provided text [3]. Tax Policies for Affordable Housing - The article outlines tax policies related to the planning and construction of affordable housing, aimed at improving housing supply and addressing urban housing issues [10]. - Tax exemptions include: - Exemption from urban land use tax and stamp duty for affordable housing projects [11]. - Exemption from land value-added tax for certain transfers of old houses as affordable housing sources [11]. - Exemption from various administrative fees and government funds related to affordable housing projects [12]. Implementation Date - The tax policies regarding affordable housing will be effective from October 1, 2023 [13].

Core Insights - The launch of the Hainan Free Trade Port's full island closure operation on December 18 marks the transition to a comprehensive implementation phase, attracting various market participants to reorganize their strategies [1][2] - Companies' core competitiveness will depend on their ability to respond to complex demands in the new market landscape created by the closure [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company, Zhongtou International Trade Group, is aligning its business structure, which includes physical development, modern logistics, and professional services, with the key demands arising from the closure [1] - The group is focusing on integrating value-added processing and bonded logistics into its operational planning to provide efficient and compliant physical space solutions for enterprises [1] - In the cross-border supply chain service sector, the group is consolidating offshore trade operations, bonded warehouse management, import and export of goods, and big data service resources to build a digital smart supply chain service system [1] Group 2: Professional Services - The group's divisions in financing consulting, asset evaluation, and information technology consulting aim to offer customized professional support to enterprises facing challenges related to new tax systems, financial regulations, and compliance rules [1] - The transition to a role as a co-builder of the industrial ecosystem reflects a shift from merely benefiting from policy incentives to actively participating in the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port [2]

Core Points - The regulation aims to standardize the selection of asset appraisal institutions by administrative units, state-owned enterprises, and listed companies, enhancing the quality of asset appraisal services [3] - The selection process must adhere to principles of fairness and justice, utilizing methods such as public bidding and competitive negotiation [5][6] - The evaluation criteria for asset appraisal institutions include qualifications, integrity, management quality, and project experience, with a significant emphasis on quality control [4][5] Group 1 - The selection of asset appraisal institutions must comply with relevant laws and regulations, and decisions should be made by the shareholders' meeting, board of directors, or internal departments [3] - Listed companies must select asset appraisal institutions that are legally registered to provide securities services [4] - The selection documents must include essential information such as appraisal objectives, scope, and evaluation criteria [4] Group 2 - The evaluation of asset appraisal institutions should focus on quality control systems, ethical standards, and past regulatory compliance [5][6] - The pricing evaluation will use the average bid of compliant institutions as a benchmark, with specific scoring formulas [6] - Results of the selection process must be publicly disclosed, including the chosen institution and appraisal fees [6] Group 3 - Institutions involved in the selection process must maintain proper documentation for at least ten years and ensure information security [6][7] - Regulatory bodies will oversee the selection process, and violations may lead to corrective actions or penalties [8][9] - The regulation applies to both statutory and non-statutory appraisal activities, with specific provisions for government procurement projects [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The independent financial advisor, China International Capital Corporation (CICC), has conducted a compliance review regarding the hiring of third-party institutions for the asset acquisition project by Wuhan Three Towns Industrial Holdings Co., Ltd., confirming that all actions are in accordance with the relevant regulations on integrity and risk prevention in investment banking [2][5][6]. Summary by Sections Third-Party Hiring Compliance - CICC plans to hire Beijing Tongshang Law Firm as the legal advisor and has already engaged Zhongshun Yatai Accounting Firm as the accounting advisor for the project to mitigate legal and financial risks [2][4]. - Beijing Tongshang Law Firm was established on May 16, 1992, and holds a valid license for securities legal services [3]. - Zhongshun Yatai Accounting Firm was founded on January 18, 2013, and is also qualified to engage in securities-related services [3]. Legal and Accounting Services - The legal services provided by Tongshang include assisting in legal due diligence, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and compiling project-related work papers [4]. - The accounting services from Zhongshun Yatai involve similar support in collecting and organizing project documentation [4][5]. Internal Review Procedures - CICC has established a standardized contract for hiring legal and accounting services, ensuring clarity in service content, fee arrangements, and mutual rights and obligations [6]. - The project team evaluates potential firms based on qualifications, experience, resources, reputation, and fee standards before finalizing the hiring process [6]. Conclusion of Compliance Review - CICC concludes that the hiring of Tongshang and Zhongshun Yatai is compliant with regulations, and there are no other direct or indirect third-party hires beyond those mentioned [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - The China Asset Appraisal Association (CAAA) has released the "Implementation Opinions on Anti-Unfair Competition Behavior" to protect public interests and the legitimate rights of appraisal institutions, encourage fair competition, prevent "involution" competition, and promote high-quality development in the asset appraisal industry [1]. Summary by Sections Anti-Competition Standards - The "Implementation Opinions" define standards for low-price competition, stating that if an appraisal institution's bid is below 50% of the average bid of all compliant institutions, competitors can report this behavior [2][3]. Mutual Supervision - Appraisal institutions are encouraged to supervise each other to resist unfair competition and maintain a fair competitive environment. They can report suspected unfair competition to various authorities, including the CAAA and local associations, providing evidence for investigation [4]. Legal Recourse - Institutions that believe their rights have been harmed by unfair competition can file lawsuits in people's courts [5]. Evidence for Reporting - Institutions can provide evidence of low-cost bidding through various means, including bid prices, cost accounting, and historical charges. Specific thresholds for reporting include bids below 50% of the average bid and below 45% of the maximum project price [6][7]. Industry Self-Regulation - The CAAA and local associations are tasked with strengthening industry self-regulation, guiding appraisal institutions to compete legally, and establishing monitoring mechanisms for bidding behavior. They will focus on investigating reported unfair competition and may impose penalties for non-compliance [8]. Market Overview - As of June 2024, there are 272 securities appraisal institutions in China, a decrease of 9 from the previous year. The majority are located in major cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, accounting for 61.8% of the total [9]. Workforce and Revenue - By the end of 2023, there were 9,282 asset appraisers, a 4.2% increase year-on-year. The total revenue for securities appraisal institutions reached 11.27 billion yuan, a 3.0% increase, with asset appraisal income making up 75.4% of total revenue [10][11]. Report Generation - In 2023, 213 securities appraisal institutions issued 12,069 asset appraisal reports, a 26.8% increase from the previous year, with 91.4% of these reports issued for listed companies [12]. Regulatory Updates - By the end of 2024, the Ministry of Finance and the China Securities Regulatory Commission will revise the "Filing Measures for Securities Service Business by Asset Appraisal Institutions," tightening filing requirements and enhancing ongoing supervision [13].

Group 1 - The provincial finance department has issued and publicized a checklist of administrative inspection items related to enterprises, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the use of power [1][2] - The checklist is based on the principle of "no inspection without basis" and covers six major areas, including government procurement supervision, accounting information quality supervision, and asset evaluation industry supervision [1] - The finance department will conduct inspections to ensure the fairness, transparency, and compliance of government procurement activities, as well as the authenticity and compliance of accounting practices [1][2] Group 2 - Inspections will also focus on the quality of practice, risk management, and internal controls of accounting firms and asset evaluation institutions to promote the rational allocation and effective utilization of state-owned assets [2] - The checklist aims to standardize the inspection management of the provincial finance department and guide the standardized construction of administrative inspections at all levels of finance departments in the province [2] - The finance department plans to comprehensively advance and strictly regulate administrative law enforcement related to enterprises, enhancing the level of law enforcement [2]

Group 1 - The article discusses the distinction between zero VAT rates and exemptions, providing clarity on VAT policies for companies operating internationally [1][3]. - Companies renting tangible assets located abroad are exempt from VAT [3]. - Services provided to foreign entities that are consumed entirely outside of China, such as asset appraisal and telecommunications, are also exempt from VAT [3]. Group 2 - Advertising services provided to foreign entities, where the advertising is placed entirely outside of China, are exempt from VAT [3].