China
The Worse Banks Treat the Chinese, the More the Chinese Save
Over the years, there have been lots of explanations from why Chinese save so much. Here’s a new one: the worse that Chinese banks treat their customers, the more that Chinese customers save, an International Monetary Fund study says . Since the mid-19990s, China’s urban household savings rate has increased to 30% of disposable income from 19%. That’s also been a time period when China’s per-capita income has risen five-fold. It would make sense that the richer that people became, the less they would save. But in China, it’s the opposite. Why? Some economists argue that the Chinese save to make up for a lousy pension and health-care system, knowing that they’ll have to pay steeply if they get sick. Others say the Chinese want to buy apartments, which China’s communist government made widely available for sale in the late ‘90s. Still others say that families of boys save especially a lot because they want to be able to help make their sons better marriage bait. IMF economist Malhar Nabar has a different theory. The Chinese, he says, have a target amount of savings in mind to pay for homes, appliances, health care and what have you. And they will try to reach that target no matter what. So when banks pay less interest, after adjusting for inflation, they’ll save more. And when they pay higher interest, they’ll save less because it’s then easier for them to hit their targets. Since 1996, the rates at Chinese banks have gotten progressively worse — meaning that they have fallen further and further below the rate of inflation. As a result, the Chinese have saved more and more. Thus, the worse the banks treat their customers, the more their customers save. “A sustained increase in the interest rates on bank deposits, and wider access to alternative investment opportunities would make it easier for households to meet their target saving accumulation,” Nabar writes. In other words, they would save less when the banks treated them better.
Over the years, there have been lots of explanations from why Chinese save so much. Here’s a new one: the worse that Chinese banks treat their customers, the more that Chinese customers save, an International Monetary Fund study says . Since the mid-19990s, China’s urban household savings rate has increased to 30% of disposable income from 19%. That’s also been a time period when China’s per-capita income has risen five-fold. It would make sense that the richer that people became, the less they would save. But in China, it’s the opposite. Why? Some economists argue that the Chinese save to make up for a lousy pension and health-care system, knowing that they’ll have to pay steeply if they get sick. Others say the Chinese want to buy apartments, which China’s communist government made widely available for sale in the late ‘90s. Still others say that families of boys save especially a lot because they want to be able to help make their sons better marriage bait. IMF economist Malhar Nabar has a different theory. The Chinese, he says, have a target amount of savings in mind to pay for homes, appliances, health care and what have you. And they will try to reach that target no matter what. So when banks pay less interest, after adjusting for inflation, they’ll save more. And when they pay higher interest, they’ll save less because it’s then easier for them to hit their targets. Since 1996, the rates at Chinese banks have gotten progressively worse — meaning that they have fallen further and further below the rate of inflation. As a result, the Chinese have saved more and more. Thus, the worse the banks treat their customers, the more their customers save. “A sustained increase in the interest rates on bank deposits, and wider access to alternative investment opportunities would make it easier for households to meet their target saving accumulation,” Nabar writes. In other words, they would save less when the banks treated them better.
Read the original post:
The Worse Banks Treat the Chinese, the More the Chinese Save
Business
China’s Golden Rooster Film Festival Kicks Off in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival began in Xiamen on Nov 13, featuring awards, cultural projects worth 31.63 billion yuan, and fostering international film collaborations.
2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Opens
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival commenced in Xiamen, Fujian province, on November 13. This prestigious event showcases the top film awards in China and spans four days, concluding with the China Golden Rooster Awards ceremony on November 16.
The festival features various film exhibitions, including the Golden Rooster Mainland Film Section and the Golden Rooster International Film Section. These showcases aim to highlight the achievements of Chinese-language films and foster global cultural exchanges within the film industry.
On the festival’s opening day, a significant milestone was reached with the signing of 175 cultural and film projects, valued at 31.63 billion yuan ($4.36 billion). Additionally, the International Film and Television Copyright Service Platform was launched, furthering the globalization of Chinese film and television properties.
Source : China’s Golden Rooster film festival opens in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
China
Italy and China New DTA Set to Take Effect in 2025: Important Changes and Implications
Italy ratified an upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with China, effective in 2025, to reduce tax burdens, prevent evasion, and enhance investment. The DTA introduces modern provisions aligned with international standards, targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution for Italian businesses.
Italy recently ratified the upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA), which will finally take effect in 2025. This agreement was signed in 2019 and was designed to reduce tax burdens, prevent tax evasion, and promote Italian investment in China.
On November 5, 2024, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to the ratification of the 2019 Double Tax Agreement (DTA) between Italy and China (hereinafter, referred to as the “new DTA”).
Set to take effect in 2025, the new DTA is aimed at eliminating double taxation on income, preventing tax evasion, and creating a more favorable environment for Italian businesses operating in China.
The ratification bill for the new DTA consists of four articles, with Article 3 detailing the financial provisions. Starting in 2025, the implementation costs of the agreement are estimated at €10.86 million (US$11.49 million) annually. These costs will be covered by a reduction in the special current expenditure fund allocated in the Italian Ministry of Economy’s 2024 budget, partially drawing from the reserve for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the parliamentary debate, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli emphasized the new DTA’s strategic importance, noting that the agreement redefines Italy’s economic and financial framework with China. Cirielli highlighted that the DTA not only strengthens relations with the Chinese government but also supports Italian businesses, which face increasing competition as other European countries have already established double taxation agreements with China. This ratification, therefore, is part of a broader series of diplomatic and economic engagements, leading up to a forthcoming visit by the President of the Italian Republic to China, underscoring Italy’s commitment to fostering bilateral relations and supporting its businesses in China’s complex market landscape.
The newly signed DTA between Italy and China, introduces several modernized provisions aligned with international tax frameworks. Replacing the 1986 DTA, the agreement adopts measures from the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project and the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI), targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution.
The Principal Purpose Test (PPT) clause, inspired by BEPS, is one of the central updates in the new DTA, working to prevent treaty abuse. This clause allows tax benefits to be denied if one of the primary purposes of a transaction or arrangement was to gain a tax advantage, a move to counter tax evasion through treaty-shopping.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
Read the rest of the original article.
Business
China’s New Home Prices Stabilize After 17-Month Decline Following Support Measures
China’s new home prices fell for the 17th month in October, declining 0.5% from September, but slowing, indicating potential market stabilization amid supportive measures. Second-hand home prices showed mixed trends.
Decline in China’s Home Prices Stabilizes
China’s new home prices continued to decline in October for the 17th consecutive month, although the drop showed signs of slowing. Recent support measures from Beijing appear to be inching the market toward stabilization, as evidenced by a lighter decline compared to earlier months.
Monthly and Yearly Comparisons
According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, new home prices across 70 mainland cities fell by 0.5% from September, marking the smallest decrease in seven months. Year-on-year, prices dropped by 6.2%, slightly worse than the September decline of 6.1%. In tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai, prices decreased by 0.2%, a smaller fall than 0.5% in the previous month.
Second-Hand Home Market Trends
Second-hand home prices in tier-1 cities experienced a 0.4% increase in October, reversing a 13-month downward trend. Conversely, tier-2 cities observed a 0.4% drop in second-hand prices, while tier-3 cities faced a similar 0.5% decline. Overall, recent trends indicate a potential stabilization in China’s property market.
Source : China’s new home prices slow 17-month decline after support measures kick in
- China’s Golden Rooster Film Festival Kicks Off in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
- Italy and China New DTA Set to Take Effect in 2025: Important Changes and Implications
- China’s New Home Prices Stabilize After 17-Month Decline Following Support Measures
- U.S. national debt is its Achilles’ heel, but China sees it as an opportunity
- Business Update: Southern Sun Reports Earnings Growth; China Stimulates Property Market – News24
- Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle