Yanzhao Evening News

Inflammatory Tax

November 2, 2010

Recently, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, published for public feedback a draft law on vehicle- and vessel-use taxation. Drawing criticism is a tax exemption for government, police and military vehicles on a tax levied to encourage use of energy-efficient means of transportation. Though publicly-funded vehicles are exempt from this tax, it doesn't mean that privileged vehicles do not consume energy or emit exhaust.

Even if publicly-funded vehicles were bound by law to pay the tax, drivers would still be able to cover this with government funds, never taking money from their own pockets. The public has the legal right to supervise the use of publicly-funded vehicles. If the tax is canceled for these cars, supervision will be more difficult. Privileged car users may unethically choose high-emissions vehicles. The proposed tax exemption is inflammatory and encourages unscrupulous vehicle use.

Beijing Times

Counterproductive Policy

November 8, 2010

A diesel shortage has swept through China in November. More than 2,000 private gas stations in south China reportedly had to close temporarily because of insufficient supplies.

This is not the first incident of seasonal energy shortages in China. Oil price fluctuations on the international market, refineries' rising production costs and transportation difficulties caused by typhoons have hurt the industry as well.

Power cuts in several provinces aimed at meeting energy-saving goals are the main culprit behind the shortages, which have forced companies to buy diesel generators to keep operating.

Control of power supplies by local governments is aimed at saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. The use of diesel generators has ruined these efforts. The government should not put policies in place that run counter to the market.

Xinmin Evening News

No More News

October 28, 2010

Nanjing, Jiangsu Province's capital, began the removal of news kiosks along major streets last year. The number has dropped from nearly 1,000 to around 500. Relevant departments say the removal is because the news kiosks are unlicensed.

The real reason is not illegality, but because some officials believe they are "negative" to Nanjing's image. Without the permission of urban planning authorities, setting up news kiosks on major streets is impossible.

The city's news kiosks not only provide income to their operators, but provide access to culture. If a modern city cannot put up with small news kiosks, its modernization is under debate.